Teenagers may be more moody in the summer because the changing hours of daylight affect their minds, according to a new study from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
- Researchers asked 16 teenagers ages 13 and 14 years old to keep diaries of their sleep patterns.
- During the summer, they tended to spend more time outdoors in the evening , but yet they also woke up earlier because the sun came out earlier.
- This in turn shortened their sleep time.
"Extended exposure to sunlight adds to the difficulty teenagers have falling asleep at a reasonable hour," said lead author, Professor Mariana Figueiro. "In addition to the exposure to more evening light, teens also contend with not getting enough morning light to stimulate the body's biological system, also delaying bedtimes."
The study appeared in the journal Chronobiology.
Labels: behavioral_issues, sleep problems, mood_disorders
Posted By: Jane St. Clair