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Maya Patel
Teen Board Member
The Kinkaid School – Houston, TX
Teen Board Member 2025 – Present
Sleep Deprivation: How Does it Affect Your Day?
Imagine you wake up on a Monday morning–your alarm blares, your eyes sting, and your body feels like it’s running on fumes. That’s the reality of sleep deprivation for millions of people every day. No one likes that feeling, especially busy teenagers. Sleep is as important as food and water and learning how to keep a steady sleep schedule is the key to being energetic, joyful, and stable.
Your physical health is aided with sleep by boosting your immune system, regulating metabolism and weight, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and strokes. For mental health, it regulates your mood (emotions, stress), supports cognitive functions like problem-solving and learning, reduces the chance of getting a mental illness like depression or anxiety.
But the real question is, why can’t you sleep? One of the main reasons people struggle to get enough sleep is stress and anxiety. When your mind is busy thinking about school or personal problems, it becomes difficult to relax and fall asleep. Another major factor is technology before bed. The blue light from phones, computers, and TVs can confuse the brain into thinking it’s still daytime, making it harder to feel tired. Lastly, poor sleep habits such as staying up too late, drinking caffeine in the evening, or having an inconsistent bedtime can restrict the urge to fall asleep.
Fixing your sleep schedule will have a big impact on your days. Actually, fixing it, well… that’s that hard part. One important step is to set a regular sleep schedule, like going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Another helpful habit is to limit screen time before bed, since the blue light from phones and computers can make it harder to fall asleep. This will also avoid getting distracted and staying up late on your phone. You can also create a relaxing bedtime routine, like reading or listening to music. Additionally, making your bedroom comfortable can improve sleep quality. For example, making it dark and cold can put you to sleep quickly. Finally, exercising regularly during the day can help your body feel naturally tired at night, leading to a nice sleep.
If you can create a routine of those habits, you will realize how much better you feel. Sleeping not only benefits your physical health, but also your mental health. Sleep should be your number one priority and will definitely lead to better performance in almost everything you do. But, on the weekends, you can sleep in and get a full 12 hours if you want!
Maya Patel
November 2025
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