Studies have proven that your teenage years are the most crucial for brain development. It is not a surprise that getting a good night’s sleep is a key factor in that. There are many things you can experiment with to help you get more quality sleep. First you need to think of things that keep you up at night; whether it be electronics, too much noise or light in your room, or you’re simply just not tired. Here are some ways to resolve many of these problems:

• If you are the type of person that stays up late on your phone watching videos or is addicted to social media, that is a major “DON’T DO”! You cannot expect to fall asleep when you have the distraction of your phone or laptop. Try sleeping in a different room as your electronics, if you have to.
• Some of the most distracting things when you are trying to sleep aren’t even your fault. It can be nearly impossible if there is light spewing in from the hallway or your siblings are bickering over who gets the bathroom next. If noise or sound are problems for you, some simple earplugs or a sleep mask may be the answer you are looking for.
• If you are the kind of person that stresses about getting to sleep to the point you have to constantly check the clock while you are trying to sleep, try facing your clock toward the wall. Having to know the current time can be a major distraction.
• If at the end of the day you just aren’t tired at all; first make sure you aren’t drinking caffeinated beverages or eating sugary foods within a couple hours of your planned bedtime. And if that doesn’t do the trick for you, many herbal teas are known to be a natural sleep aid that might be worth a shot.

These simple tips should cover most issues that you may be experiencing that keep you awake at night. Now good luck, happy sleeping…and listen to your parents! They really do know what they are talking about (trust us, we’re parents)!