Five common misconceptions about teen sleep

Ever heard someone say something like "you don't need that much sleep," or an influencer claiming some surprising sleep fact? Here are five common myths about sleep, and the real truth behind them.

1. You can make up lost sleep.

This isn't completely false. After all, power naps and gradual increases in your nightly sleep go a long way towards keeping you alert in the day. However, sleep deprivation can't be fixed by simply sleeping up the amount of time lost. Many of you have busy schedules, so beware of packing your day too tight and "leaving room" for the weekend.

2. The more sleep, the better.

Sleep comes in different stages (and depths), and you won't be doing yourself much good if all your sleep is light and easily disturbed. Deep sleeps, not long sleeps, are the main force behind rejuvenation and brain recovery. There's also a reason why the CDC sleep recommendations have upper bounds: sleeping too much can actually lead to symptoms like feeling groggy or experiencing mood cycles, much like symptoms from poor sleep. Just remember that if you're feeling tired and know you aren't getting that 8 hours of sleep, listen to your body and adjust your schedule.

3. The numbers are just suggestions for the general public.

The last point might make you wonder, "if I sleep deeply and feel well-rested even after 5 or 6 hours, is it ok to keep doing that?" Unfortunately, this also isn't true. Even though deep sleep is arguably more crucial than time slept, having enough sleep cycles in a night is also critical towards brain function. You might not feel it at first, but the effects will pile on, as many a tired adult will explain.

4. Teenagers don't need as much sleep as other demographics.

After all, teens are more active and lead different lifestyles than young children or adults. At this age, your body is full of energy, and you might not feel like needing as much sleep. However, as your body develops, it needs more time to rejuvenate, and teen sleep guidances generally show more hours needed compared to adults.

5. Caffeine in the afternoon won't affect sleep.

Grabbing a coffee in the morning certainly won't, although an afternoon energy drink might have more effects than you think. Caffeine is a stimulant, and can stay in the body for hours. Even if you no longer feel the initial rush, the caffeine still present in your system might cause some sleep troubles that you don't notice. Caffeine's half life is about 3-5 hours, meaning that after around 4 hours, half of what you drank is still in your body. Generally, try to limit caffeine consumption about 6 hours before bedtime. It might seem excessive, but it'll help with your sleep.

These are only a few misconceptions about teen sleep. At this age, many of your body functions are still developing, and your brain is still actively growing. Try to find a sleep schedule and environment that fits you—after all, quality sleep is something that varies between different people.