Teenage years are all about change and development. Horomones begin to fluctuate and the body begins to shape into it’s adult form. It is normal to see physical changes in these adolescent years, though it can be alarming at times. You begin to wonder, “Is this normal?!”. The truth is yes – change is normal, and you are not alone! To feel comfortable with the changes that accompany your body’s development, you must arm yourself with knowledge. Read along as we hope to provide some of this knowledge and insight when it comes to how your sleep patterns change during your young adult life.

- Insomnia is not and adult problem – it strikes all ages! This goes for all sleep disorders, to include sleep apnea, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome. If you are truly struggling with problems sleeping, reach out to an adult and have a doctor assess the issue. Sleep problems aren’t just a product of adulthood, and you should be sure to seek out help if you’re not able to get the sleep your body needs.

- Teens need more sleep than adults. Medical professionals recommend that adults get about 8 hours of sleep, while recommending teens get 9.5 hours of sleep. It makes sense if you take into consideration that your body is in overload with all of the growth and development that’s going on. Be sure to give you body enough down time so that you’re not only healthy, but able to function at your peak performance the next day!

- Teens find it difficult to fall asleep before 11:00 p.m. If this is happening to you, it doesn’t mean you’re a night owl or a rebel trying to break your bedtime curfew. As your biological clock begins to change, so does your sleep patterns. You may find it difficult to fall asleep in the early evening hours – and this is completely natural.

- Sleep deprived teens are more irritable. If you find yourself snapping at your teachers or yelling at your parents, you may want to consider whether you’re getting enough sleep. This is a crucial time in your life where your body is in much need of downtime – if you’re getting less than 9 hours of sleep each night, then you’re setting yourself up for a rough road. Being sleep deprived is a big contributor towards stress, moodiness and irritability, and that is certainly no fun!

- Acne can flare up if you’re not getting enough sleep! As if we haven’t already made the point that sleep is incredibly important, we must also add that sleep can be helpful in keeping a clear complexion. If you are sleep deprived, especially as a teen, you may experience more skin irritation and acne flare ups. And really, who needs that