Look Here for Best Advice for AP Prep

From Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, International Leader in Progressive Health Strategies

Exam term is upon us, and if you’re a parent or carer of teens cramming for exams, you’ll be keen to give them as much help and encouragement as possible. Good nutrition, outdoor exercise and some tech-free hobbies are all valuable interventions to keep them less stressed and more focused. But a new study has revealed one of the best ways teens can support their cognitive function: getting an early night.

It’s well known that teenagers need more sleep, and that they tend to start going to bed and waking up later – a pattern that doesn’t match school hours, unfortunately. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University in Shanghai looked at data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, which is the largest ever long-term study of brain development and child health in the US.

While they found overall that few teens were getting enough sleep, it was those who got the most by going to bed earliest who performed best in cognitive tests such as vocabulary, reading, problem solving and focus. 

Helping your kids practice good sleep hygiene and have a wind-down routine in the evenings (and not sleep in too long at the weekends) could be the most important thing you do for them right now.

Why not look up ‘sleep’ using the podcast episode search tool on my website, for some expert advice.