If you don't snooze, you lose

Laurie McAdam Mcadam, Mct

Tired from all night study session.

Most Americans aren't getting enough sleep. And for both adults and students, there are health consequences.

By SARAH MORAN, Special to the Star Tribune

Last update: September 6, 2009 - 11:00 PM

Alarm clocks are rudely awakening more Minnesotans this week, signaling the end of summer and the start of school.

One of the most important lessons to learn -- whether you're waking up for school, work, to care for kids or to play a round of golf -- is that sleep is your best ally for success, health and happiness. It plays a role in everything from memory and weight gain to diabetes and depression.

Just as your DNA assigns eye and hair color, genetics also determine how much sleep you require. Sorry, but there's no such thing as training yourself to need fewer hours. Almost all adults from their 20s on need 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours, but a few need more or less.

Research has proven that all those adolescents rising bright and early this week need closer to 9 or 9 1/2 hours. Adolescents naturally don't get tired until later at night. Compared with adults and younger children, their bodies' natural sedative, melatonin, secretes later. And their bodies aren't ready to wake up until later in the morning.

In light of medical studies about teenage sleep cycles, as well as research from the University of Minnesota's Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement, the Minnesota Medical Association recommended that high schools push back their start times so kids could get more sleep. In 1996, Edina was the first in the nation to make the change, and many other districts have followed.

The results? Improved academic scores, more alert students, greater extracurricular participation, less depression, decreased discipline problems and fewer late arrivals by students.

If your kids "sleep in" this weekend, why not follow their cue? Toss your alarm aside and let your body wake up when it's ready. It's one of the best antiaging regimens around.

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