Friday, April 18, 2008

Harmone Seyyum Kalakam Thaanada!

Teenage kids are the hardest to wake up early in the morning.

We know that some adults are basically morning people while some are night owls. But what's with the teenagers? Why are most of them late nighters and late risers?

Parents usually scold them for sleeping in till late, perhaps without understanding the culprit called 'Melatonin'.

Melatonin production in teenagers is slow during the evening. Melatonin is the sleep inducer and as it is produced at a slower rate in the teen aged kids, they sleep late and rise later than others.

The squirt of melatonin occurs at around 9.30 for adolescents and adults while it happens at around 10.30 to the teens.

But in cases of teens who do not watch TV in the evenings an hour before bedtime, Melatonin production is faster.

So, ideal time for a teenager to push that red button on the remote is around 8.30.