Smells Like Teen Spirit: How to Help Teens Get Better Sleep

It’s Monday morning, and you once again find yourself knocking on your teen’s door, shouting, “You’re going to be late for school!” You might wonder what he’s doing in there. You might even think he’s just messing with you.

Nope! Your teen’s circadian rhythm works differently than yours, meaning he’s not being lazy – it really is hard for teens to wake up early. But our school system, our work culture, and basically everything about our daily life operates antagonistically to your kid’s natural body clock.

In this episode, Dr. Harris talks with journalist Lisa L. Lewis, author of The Sleep-Deprived Teen, about why it's so important for teens to get at least eight hours of sleep per night, how later school start times could help them get better sleep, and how sleep deprivation impacts their health and performance in school. Plus, they provide actionable tips you can use today to help your sleep-deprived teen take back his sleep routine and start getting more rest.