You’ve probably heard it over and over again. There are always people – they might be doctors, teachers, coaches and certainly your parents – telling you that you need to get more sleep at night. They tell you it will affect your school work, your athletic performance, and your overall health. But how important is sleep for you, really?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, “Sleep is just as important as diet and exercise.” If you’re an athlete, you know that diet and exercise are crucial to keeping your performance skills high. So, logically, sleep is also just as important. And according to the International Classifications of Sleep Disorders, “Shift workers are at increased risk for a variety of chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases.” So, if you aren’t getting enough sleep, you may be seriously damaging your health, as an athlete, we know you don’t want that. You want to be your absolute best at all time, whether it’s the day of practice or of the big game.
But, you may make the argument that you’re young, healthy and aren’t working the night shift. You say, “I’m good, right?” So is sleep more or less important for high school students? The answer is a resounding yes, teens need sleep! And lots of it! Don’t believe us? Let’s ask the experts.
Researchers at the UCLA Sleep Disorder Center found that “teens are at an important stage of their growth and development. Because of this, they need more sleep than adults. The average teen needs about nine hours of sleep each night to feel alert and well rested.”
So the answer is simple: yes, as a teenager, you need to get a good night’s rest. And you need to sleep well every single night. It can make you healthier, happier, and have a more successful basketball season. So, if you need an excuse to go to bed early or to sleep in a few extra minutes, here you go. Sweet dreams!