Doctors Advocate for Later School Start Times to Help Teens Get Enough Zzz’s

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The American Medical Association (AMA) recently threw its weight behind the idea of pushing back school start times for adolescents to promote better overall health. Let’s face it—getting your teenager out of bed can feel like a scene from a horror movie, and there’s a scientific reason behind their morning struggles. It appears that teenagers are naturally inclined to stay up late and sleep in. Perhaps it’s time we stop battling against their internal clocks.

According to a study from UCLA, before puberty, kids tend to feel sleepy around 8:00 or 9:00 PM, but once puberty hits, this cycle shifts a couple of hours later. “Your body now signals you to sleep around 10:00 or 11:00 PM,” the study explains. This natural alteration in a teen’s circadian rhythm, known as “sleep phase delay,” means they need to stay up longer before feeling tired.

The AMA highlights the challenges this poses for teenagers who are expected to perform well at school early in the morning. Shockingly, about 10% of U.S. high schools start classes at or before 7:30 AM. Even starting at 8:30 AM leaves teens scrambling to achieve the recommended 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep if they’re not dozing off until after 11 PM.

The AMA’s new policy advocates for middle and high schools across the nation to begin no earlier than 8:30 AM. They also encourage healthcare professionals to educate parents and school officials about the critical link between sleep and adolescent mental and physical health, highlighting teens’ biological needs.

Lack of sleep is tied to numerous physical and psychological issues. According to the AMA, insufficient sleep can lead to poor memory, mood disorders, and increased symptoms of depression and anxiety among those who snag fewer than six hours of shut-eye each night. So next time your teen seems like they’ve stepped out of a zombie flick, remember—it’s not just dramatics; there’s science at play.

William T. Jenkins, an AMA board member, sums it up nicely: “While pushing back school start times may create some emotional and logistical challenges for districts and families, the health benefits for adolescents far outweigh any potential drawbacks.”

If you’d like to dive deeper into topics like this, check out our other blog post on the importance of sleep for overall health here, or learn about fertility with resources from Make A Mom that are worth exploring. For those considering pregnancy options, American Pregnancy offers excellent information.

In summary, the push for later school start times is backed by science and aimed at improving adolescent health. It’s time we listen to the experts and consider what’s best for our teens.