Posted by December 31, 2009 Los Angeles Times
A new study finds that adolescents can improve their mental health by sticking to bedtimes of 10 p.m. or earlier. Compared with teenagers who hit the hay by 10, those who go to bed after midnight were 24% more likely to be depressed.
Even more important than an early bedtime — though certainly related to it — was the total amount of sleep teens got. Compared with adolescents who reported eight hours of shut-eye each night, those who managed five hours or less were 71% more likely to be depressed and 48% more likely to consider suicide.
The findings, published in the Jan. 1 issue of the Journal Sleep is in line with the theory that insufficient shut-eye can cause depression, according Gangwisch. “Adequate quality sleep could therefore be a preventative measure against depression and a treatment for depression,” he said in a statement.
Gangwisch has previously linked inadequate sleep to obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
Of course, convincing teens to turn in by 10 is easier said than done. In the survey data, only 54% of parents said their teens were in bed by 10 p.m., and 25% said they allowed their adolescents to turn in after midnight.
Next: Parent Tips: Teen Bed Times
Beth Baus is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has a private practice in Riverside, CA. She teaches for Apostolic School of Theology/Hope International University and attends Inland Lighthouse Church pastored by Rev. Larry Booker. Her website: www.ourhealthyfamilies.org
