In the face of a severe decrease in their mental health caused by the pandemic, kids and young people are facing an outbreak of sleeping disorders.Over the past year, the lack of routine and exposure to the virus has exacerbated pre-existing sleeping disorders in kids and teenagers, which could have long-term and serious consequences for their health. Being sleep deprived leads to irritability, moodiness, lack of focus, and difficulty with learning.
Per a comprehensive assessment on the well-being of this age group, in recent years there has been an increase in the number of school-age youngsters suffering from eating disorders. The NHS Digital research also showed that most kids and young people of the age of 11-23 in England felt that Covid’s limitations had worsened or worse their lives. The investigation was carried out amongst 3667 persons aged between six and 23 in February and March.
“Teenagers may experience altered sleep patterns as it’s not uncommon for them to stay awake late into the night using their phones, watching TV or gaming. This could interfere with everyday life and cause stress with their parents. Having time away from screens to wind down and going to bed at a reasonable time can help,” declared Tom Madders.
Good sleep is essential for teenagers. They’re growing, their brains are processing new information and their bodies are going through hormonal changes, all of which can affect their sleep patterns. The problems can range from not being able to fall asleep to insomnia to waking up many times during the night. Sleep disorders come in many forms, including insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, and circadian rhythm disorders, among others. The lack of sleep can lead to confusion, depression, and fatigue. Sleep problems can not only impact your physical and mental health, they can impact your job performance, relationships, and school grades. If you’re experiencing sleep problems, it’s important to talk to your doctor.