Teens and Sleep
Sleep is nature's way of renewing and maintaining
balance-physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Teenagers need
about 9.5 hours of sleep each night. It is thought that sleep
requirements increase for teens because the hormones that are
essential for maturing bodies are released mainly during sleep.
Yet studies show that most teenagers only get about 7.4 hours of
sleep a night. This is not enough for a teen to be healthy.
Lack of sleep leaves us confused and undirected, open to the
chaotic influences of others who are also sleep-deprived. Deep
and regular sleep keeps us in close contact with our own inner
knowing and moves us steadily toward the accomplishment of our
own goals.
Regular sleep is also the basis for developing clear intuition,
that inner voice that represents our truest desires. Throughout
history wise men and women have used the quiet night hours to
get in touch with their intuitive knowing. Try this simple
practice: wait until you are in bed, quiet and relaxed, just
before falling asleep. If there is something that you need or
want, make your request or ask your question of the Divine
within you. Fall asleep naturally. In the morning, do not jump
up immediately. Wait for a few minutes, expectantly but not
anxiously, to see if some intuitive "knowing" comes to you. Do
not be discouraged if it doesn't. It takes time to develop
intuition. And the answer may come later on in some quiet
moment, when you least expect it. Answers from the Indwelling
Divine fill us with peace and security. We know with confidence
how to proceed. Or we know with confidence that we are protected
and guided.
If you are having trouble staying on top of life, try going to
bed early and getting 9.5 hours of sleep each night. Many of the
answers you seek may be no farther away than your own pillow.