Adolescent Lack of Sleep Actually Lack of Responsibility
August 21st, 2007
US researchers say that the inner clock (circadian rhythm) of teenagers directs them to be ready for sleep later at night than when they were younger.
This has become just one more opportunity to take the responsibility off the person and the parents, and to be able to place blame. The blame is put on schools for not starting later to accommodate teenagers - it must be the schools’ responsibility. It is also a wonderful opportunity to tell us (again) that we need the (socialist-leaning) government to force the situation. In this case, it is to force schools to change their hours. The bottom line is that many adults do not parent their kids and the government thinks that none of us is smart enough to do so.
How to Get Teenagers to Sleep Despite Their Inner Clock
August 21st, 2007
Teenagers see staying up late at night as a right. Even though teenagers push to stay up later and later, they do still need more sleep than adults. Many adults function best with 7 hours of sleep, but school-aged children need 9 or 10 hours. Teenagers will give themselves this much sleep if they are allowed to wake up on their own. Weekends attest to this. But, it is necessary for them to go to bed early enough to get 9 or 10 hours of sleep before getting up for school.
The Dangers of Energy Drinks
August 18th, 2007
(A follow-up to “Ephedra Free,” dated August 13th, 2007)
Coffee contains about twice as much caffeine as soda, and
most of the energy drinks contain at least as much caffeine as coffee. One of the energy drinks contains as much caffeine as five cups of coffee, or the equivalent of two and a half Vivarin, No-Doz or Dexatrim. (The name of this drink is being omitted so kids won’t search it out.) To put this into perspective, the Olympic Committee will disquality an athlete that has had more than three cups of coffee.
Ephedra Free
August 13th, 2007
Most people know that caffeine is stimulant. Many do not realize that guarana, ginseng and mate are also. Stimulants can be beneficial when used correctly.
Another stimulant, ephedra, was taken off the market because a few people died after taking it. Some of the fatalities occurred when it was taken before extreme physical activity, or rigorous activity in extreme heat. When used correctly, it does work wonders for allergies and asthma.
