“Sleep that soothes away all our worries. Sleep that puts each day to rest. Sleep that relieves the weary laborer and heals hurt minds.” William Shakespeare (Macbeth, 1606)
Heart Disease, Cancer, and Alzheimer's. Three life-threatening diseases. Three diseases all linked to lack of sleep. According to Dr. Okorie from the children’s health division of Stanford University, “7 out of 10 high school students are falling short of… (sleep) on school nights.” The Bulk of American teens are not getting enough sleep. The answer: education.
Sleep is crucial in maintaining and furthering physical health. every 90 minutes whilst asleep growth hormones are released. These hormones are responsible for repairing injuries and growing muscles. When we suffer from lack of sleep, less muscle growth, as well as reduced strength, is experienced. A study from the National Library of Medicine found that students who experienced less sleep scored lower in strength tests. They observed that students who got less than “6 hours (of sleep) had poorer muscle strength than that of men who slept for 7-8 hours”. Once we fall into the trap of poor sleep it can be difficult to break the cycle. Consequently, teenagers need better education regarding sleep so that they too don’t fall victim to this silent plague. With more education students will be able to understand and act towards getting a full night’s sleep.
One might object here and state that teenagers have a different natural sleep cycle. It has been argued that teenagers release the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin later at night. This makes it difficult to fall asleep before that time. Whilst this contains elements of truth it can be worked around easily. The US nationwide children’s Hospital website contains extensive information and tips for teenagers regarding sleep. They state that “Maintaining a regular sleep schedule… Taking afternoon naps (and) avoiding caffeine” in the afternoons are all effective strategies for getting a full night of sleep. Whilst this is a great resource and there are many similar articles, without proper education students will have no reason to act on or even find such information. Without proper education how can we expect teenagers to experience consistent and comprehensive sleep?
There needs to be better education about the significant impact that sleep plays on the life of a high school student. Everyday millions of students attend school or university suffering from sleep deprivation. Actions need to be taken before the serious consequences of sleep deprivation become prevalent. Education is the answer. With a better understanding, students will be able to recognise and act towards maintaining healthy sleeping habits. We mustn’t rely solely on educators. This issue affects everybody and so it is up to everybody to inform and make a difference.
By Archer Bracey, Year 9 TGS student
Works Cited
Brooks, A. (2019, August 22). 70% of High Schoolers Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep. Healthier, Happy Lives Blog. https://healthier.stanfordchildrens.org/en/70-of-high-schoolers-arent-getting-enough-sleep/
Cui, Y. (2017). Relationship between sleep and muscle strength among Chinese university students. Relationship between sleep and muscle strength among Chinese university students: a cross-sectional study - PMC (nih.gov)
Shakespeare, W., (1606.). The Tragedie of Macbeth. (Playscript). Quote by William Shakespeare: “Innocent sleep. Sleep that soothes away all our...” (goodreads.com)
Nationwide Childrens. (2003). Sleep in Adolescents. Retrieved May 29, 2023. Sleep in Adolescents (nationwidechildrens.org)
Latest Blog
TGS Leading the Way for IT in Education
Toowoomba Grammar School is fortunate to have a strong partnership with Microsoft / School Locker. We are a Microsoft Lighthouse School, leading the way in technological advancement and deployment in Australian schools. This recognition would not be possible without two key factors: our “whole school” approach to IT, whereby the School supplies every student with the same devices, ensuring equality for all boys from Prep to Year 12.our dedicated IT team, who are based on-site to immediately…
Holiday Reading
Reading is one of those activities that, the more you do, the better you get, and with the holidays fast approaching, now is the perfect time to read that book you’ve always wanted to, finish a book you’ve started or try something new. It is important to keep reading over the holidays, so that we don’t step backward in our reading journey. As the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has found, reading for pleasure is a habit that can prove essential to performing well…
Developing Generational Change in our Men – Stand Up and Speak Out
The devastating effects of domestic and family violence (DFV) are more prominent today as this previously ‘taboo’ issue is finally being publicly recognised and addressed. Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to be leading the way in creating generational change for this sensitive issue through a variety of School initiatives and by supporting community groups associated with DFV. Our programs are aimed at developing good men of the future who will “Stand Up and Speak Out.” TGS became a White…
The Barbour Connection
They will tell tales of meeting someone on the other side of the world whom they spotted wearing a TGS cap. It led to an instant connection. Of getting their dream job by simply proudly sporting a TGS Old Boy tie at the interview. It led to an instant connection. There is no denying that Toowoomba Grammar School students share a special bond. We celebrate it with our annual Old Boys’ Sons and Grandsons photo and our Old Boys’ Generations Gathering dinner. You see it in the playground at…
“I’ll Be There for You” at Toowoomba Grammar School
“I’ll be there for you” was the theme of National Boarding Week. This statement is particularly relevant at Toowoomba Grammar School as the boarders, the dayboys and the staff, help each other in the good times and the bad. We see our school as a ‘boarding school’, not a ‘school with boarders’. We are proud to be one of the oldest and most highly regarded boys’ boarding schools in Australia, providing a home away from home for boys for almost 150 years. TGS came from very humble beginnings. The…
Helping families navigate rules, rewards and consequences for boys
Recently I was in a webinar that aimed to tackle the issues surrounding technology and its effects on students. Some members of the forum started openly criticising boys for their poor behaviour. Whilst their criticisms were not directed specifically at our boys, I was offended at their general statements. We can be too quick to criticise boys and we forget that their frontal lobes are still developing. We also forget that their brains are “wired” differently from girls and that they don’t see…
Accepting Our Past, Creating Our Future
Toowoomba Grammar School has added the new role of Indigenous Education Coordinator to the School’s offering, to further promote a culture of diversity, inclusivity, and reconciliation. Mr Scott Gale has been appointed to this ground-breaking position that aims to spread awareness and understanding of the significance of Australia’s culture and history. “That’s something that has been lacking in Australia’s education system for so long,” said Scott. “It’s an extremely significant part of our…
The Gift of Music
You can feel the pride and passion exude from Janelle Fletcher as she reflects on her thirty-year career as a Music Tutor at Toowoomba Grammar School. “It’s a long time to stay in any job,” she admitted. “But working with the boys, seeing how important it is to have music in their lives and to develop not only as musicians but as people, that’s what’s kept me here.” Janelle believes staff in an all-boys’ school have a real understanding of boys. “It’s been very positive for me to see the…
