Have you ever gotten 8+ hours of sleep but still feel tired throughout the day. Have you ever wondered why your friends might be acting a little different? There’s so much going on with tweens and teens in their growing years. Let’s take a look at what’s actually happening and what we can all do to help ourselves feel rejuvenated.

 

As kids move into their teen years you may notice an increase in sleep, mood swings and even alone time. Sometimes this can be confusing as you don’t know exactly what’s going on. Thankfully it is completely natural to feel extra tired or frustrated with something. This is most likely related to the combination of the rapid physical and psychological change. For some teens the fatigue can be caused by being emotionally overwhelmed from school, friends, and many other things. Being tired can limit the drive teens have to do things. The inactivity and isolation can then lead to mood changes and further exhaustion.

 

Although it may seem like you won’t be able to escape the tiredness, mood swings or other teenage things, believe it or not there are many things out there that can help you or a friend cope with your feelings.

*Please note that these next bullets are recommendations from certified doctors.

• Create a quiet and comfortable sleeping environment
• Establish bedtimes and wake up times and stick to them
• Get exercise during the day
• Stop screen-based activities at least 45 minutes before going to bed
• Talk and check in with a trusted adult frequently
• Attend and get involved with school
• Make goals

 

The tween and teenager years can be some of the hardest out there. It’s important to always support each other and be careful to not overwhelm them with expectations. This stage in life happens so early on so its good to note that you have a whole life ahead of you. If you ever feel tired, depressed, or confused, know that you are not alone and that millions of teenagers are all going through the same things.