The importance of a good night's sleep
A teenager typically needs between 8 to 10 hours of sleep, with the ideal being 9 hours per night. Sleep deprivation has a negative effect on a teen’s cognitive abilities. This translates to poor memory, inability to make decisions and exercise good judgment, difficulty paying attention, and poor reaction time.
Not getting enough rest affects different parts of the brain, and one of the main portions of the brain that suffers most from deprivation is the amygdala, which controls fight-or-flight.
When we don’t get enough rest, the amygdala steals resources from the more logical and functional portions of our brain, making it difficult to distinguish between what’s a threat and what isn’t.
Find out more here
Nutrition
Research has shown that students are able to learn better when they’re well nourished, and eating healthy meals has been linked to higher grades, better memory and alertness, and faster information processing. One reason for this is that foods that are rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats such as eggs, yogurt, apples and oatmeal keep the body feeling full longer, providing enough energy to focus and stay alert throughout the entire day. Find out more here
A guide to supporting students with studying can be foundhere