Miya Pearson
If your 18-year-old is sleeping all the time, there could be a number of reasons. Firstly, adolescence is a period of significant physiological changes that affect sleep patterns, with teens naturally getting tired later at night and finding it harder to wake up in the mornings. This, combined with early school start times, can result in sleep deprivation. Other factors such as screen time, caffeine consumption, and a lack of physical activity can also contribute to sleep issues. In some cases, excessive sleepiness could be a sign of an underlying mental or physical health condition, such as Kleine-Levin syndrome, depression, or sleep disorders. If you are concerned about your 18-year-old's sleep habits, it is important to encourage healthy sleep hygiene, limit screen time, and ensure they are getting enough physical activity and a healthy diet. If the issue persists, consult a healthcare professional for further advice and assessment.
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What You'll Learn
Screen time
The blue light emitted by electronic devices is very similar to sunlight, boosting alertness and tricking the body into thinking it is still daytime. This light suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone that induces sleepiness. As a result, it takes longer to fall asleep, and the sleep that follows is less restful. The longer the time spent on screens, the more significant the consequences.
Teens who spend a lot of time on screens tend to go to bed later and sleep fewer hours. They may also experience tiredness during the day, and their sleep issues may be compounded by being woken up by phone calls and text messages. Research has found that approximately 20% to 40% of teens are woken up by their phones at least once a month.
In addition to the negative impact on sleep, excessive screen time can also contribute to physical and mental health issues. Screen time encourages sedentary behaviour, which can have numerous impacts on physical health. Furthermore, spending a lot of time looking at screens up close can lead to vision problems, myopia, dry eyes, and digital eyestrain.
To mitigate the impact of screen time on sleep, it is recommended to limit screen time, especially before bed. Experts suggest turning off devices at least 30 minutes to one hour before bedtime. Establishing a regular sleep schedule and a relaxing bedtime routine can also help improve sleep quality.
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Hormones
The circadian rhythm, or the sleep-wake cycle, is influenced by hormonal changes during puberty. Teenagers often experience a natural shift in their circadian rhythm, becoming "night owls" and feeling sleepy later in the evening. This shift can be attributed to the hormonal changes associated with puberty, which shift the body clock forward by about one to two hours. However, early school start times often disrupt their sleep patterns, leading to chronic sleep deprivation.
The stress hormone, cortisol, is also implicated in sleep regulation. Oversleeping or inconsistent sleep schedules can disrupt the body's cortisol levels, making it harder for teenagers to manage stress effectively. Additionally, spending time in nature has been found to lower cortisol production and help regulate the nervous system, positively impacting mental health.
Hormonal changes during adolescence can have a significant impact on sleep patterns, contributing to the common issue of teenagers sleeping all the time. These hormonal shifts are a natural part of puberty and typically resolve by early adulthood. However, it's important to be aware of potential underlying mental or physical health issues that may also be factors.
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Mental health
Sleep is essential for teenagers because it plays a crucial role in their physical and mental development. Most teens should get between 8 and 10 hours of sleep per night. However, many teens get far less sleep than they need due to various factors, including hormonal changes, lifestyle choices, and underlying mental or physical health issues.
Hormonal changes during puberty can cause a shift in teenagers' circadian rhythms or sleep-wake cycles, making them feel sleepy later in the evening and find it harder to wake up in the mornings. This, combined with early school start times, can result in teens not getting enough sleep. Additionally, the presence of electronic devices in bedrooms and excessive screen time before bed can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to sleep deprivation.
Underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, or emotional concerns, can also be a reason why your 18-year-old is sleeping all the time. Sleep problems could be a symptom of these mental health concerns or, in some cases, the cause of them. For example, sleep-deprived teens are more likely to report anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts and behaviours. On the other hand, mental health issues can lead to fatigue and excessive sleeping. It can be a two-way street, and the relationship between sleep and mental health is complex.
Furthermore, certain medications, such as those for ADHD, or physical health issues, such as chronic pain, can also contribute to excessive sleeping. Additionally, substance abuse, including alcohol and drug use, can interfere with the sleep-wake cycle and lead to sleep deprivation or excessive daytime sleepiness.
If you are concerned about your 18-year-old's sleeping habits, it is important to encourage healthy sleep habits, such as limiting screen time before bed, getting enough physical activity, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. If the issue persists, consult a medical professional or therapist to identify any underlying physical or mental health concerns.
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Physical health
Sleep is vital for people of any age, but it is especially important for teens due to the mental, physical, social, and emotional development that occurs during adolescence. A good night's sleep benefits the brain and promotes attention, memory, and analytical thought. It also facilitates expansive thinking, which can spur creativity.
The physical changes that occur during puberty cause teens to experience a natural shift in their circadian rhythm, making it more difficult for them to fall asleep early. This, coupled with early school start times, increased homework, extracurricular activities, and sometimes a part-time job, can lead to sleep deprivation in teens.
The recommended amount of sleep for teens aged 13-18 is 8-10 hours per night. However, many teens get far less sleep than they need, with older teens reporting less sleep than younger adolescents. Insufficient sleep has been found to be more common among girls and individuals assigned female at birth. Surveys have also found that teens who identify as Black, Asian, or multiracial have the highest rates of sleeping less than eight hours per night.
Oversleeping can be just as disruptive to human biology as undersleeping. It can negatively affect the circadian rhythm, leaving teens feeling even more tired, similar to perpetual jet lag. Sleeping too much can also cause headaches and back pain. Additionally, teens who sleep excessively may be experiencing depression or another serious mental health problem. Extreme fatigue could also be the result of a physical health issue, such as:
- Anemia
- An underactive thyroid
- Lyme disease
- Mononucleosis
- Weight issues or an eating disorder
- Chronic pain
- Medication side effects
- Sleep disorders, such as insomnia or sleep apnea
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Sleep disorders
There are many reasons why your 18-year-old might be sleeping all the time. Firstly, it is important to note that adolescence brings about a shift in biological sleep patterns. Teenagers naturally get tired later at night and find it harder to wake up in the mornings. This is due to a change in the body's internal sleep clock, which resets to fall asleep later and wake up later in the morning. This change is caused by the delayed production of melatonin, the hormone that triggers sleep.
Additionally, there are several other factors that can contribute to your teenager's sleep patterns. These include social, biological, and emotional reasons. For example, factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues can impact sleep. Lifestyle choices, such as late-night screen use, can also play a role. The blue light emitted by smartphones and other electronic devices can disrupt the brain's ability to fall into a deep sleep and expose teens to a range of risk factors for sleep deprivation and mental health problems.
Furthermore, there are several sleep disorders that are common in teenagers that may be causing excessive sleepiness. These include:
- Obstructive sleep apnea: This occurs when something blocks the airway during sleep, causing the person to briefly stop breathing. It is often characterised by snoring, noisy breathing, tossing and turning, and night sweats.
- Narcolepsy: This disorder causes people to feel severely drowsy during the day and may result in sudden "sleep attacks" at any time. People with narcolepsy often have trouble sleeping at night and may experience vivid dreams.
- Restless leg syndrome: This disorder causes an urge to move the legs at night, accompanied by tingling, itching, cramping, or burning sensations. It can make it difficult to fall asleep and lead to restlessness throughout the night, resulting in tiredness during the day.
- Kleine-Levin syndrome: This syndrome is characterised by episodes of excessive sleepiness, lasting for several weeks or months. It can also be accompanied by fevers, muscle aches, moodiness, confusion, hallucinations, and other behavioural changes.
If you are concerned about your teenager's sleep habits, it is important to encourage healthy sleep habits, such as limiting screen time before bed, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and engaging in physical activity. If the problem persists, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying physical or mental health issues.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many reasons why your 18-year-old might be sleeping all the time. Firstly, it could be a natural part of their development. Adolescence brings about a shift in biological sleep patterns, with teens naturally getting tired later at night. Additionally, older teens tend to report getting less sleep than younger adolescents. However, if you are concerned, there are some things you can do to help your teen. Encourage them to turn off screens an hour before bedtime, get regular exercise, and establish a healthy sleep routine.
Oversleeping can be as disruptive to human biology as undersleeping. Sleeping too much can negatively impact your 18-year-old's mental and physical well-being. It can also increase the risk of accidents, particularly when driving.
If you are concerned about your 18-year-old's sleeping habits, it is important to first rule out any basic causes, such as insufficient sleep, phone use at night, lack of physical activity, or an unhealthy diet. If these issues are addressed and your teen is still sleeping excessively, consult a medical doctor to identify any physical causes and a therapist to check for any mental or emotional health concerns.
