You might disagree with Mindy Kaling ("The Office" and "The Mindy Project"), who claims that there isn't a sunrise beautiful enough for her to wake up and see. But by insisting on getting enough sleep, she's got sleep science solidly on her side. She's also a lot more sleep-smart than many North Americans.
The 2014: Sleep in America poll found that more than 50 percent of 15- to 17-year-olds and 25 percent of 12- to 14-year-olds get less than seven hours of sleep nightly. And parents had no idea that for peak health, their 12- to 14-year olds (according to new National Sleep Foundation guidelines) need between nine and 11 hours, and teens 15-17 require eight to 10 hours every night.
Plus, Mom and Dad don't do any better themselves! Around 40 percent of adults get six or fewer hours of sleep a night (14 percent say it's usually five or less). The NSF says folks 18-64 need seven to nine hours, and those 65 plus need seven to eight.
Why the new NSF guidelines? Because lack of sleep is a growing problem that causes everything from poor school performance to driving accidents, increased risk of infection and disease, over-the-top stress responses, mood swings and relationship problems.
So make your house sleep-smart: Set a bedtime and stick to it. No digital devices in any bedroom EVER; no TV for an hour before bed; and while you're sleeping make the only light in your bathroom and bedroom a red nightlight.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.