A recent study showed that teenagers who are used to sleep early and get enough sleep enjoying better cognitive and mental skills compared to those who sleep late.

The study, which is the largest of its kind in the field of brain development in adolescents, which was conducted by researchers from the universities of Cambridge and Shanghai, included more than 3 thousand participants between the ages of 13 and 18 years, where their sleep patterns were tracked using specialized devices, subject to a series of cognitive tests and brain tests.

The results revealed that the group that used to sleep early (about 37% of the participants) was distinguished by a better academic performance and my awareness, as it excelled in reading tests, problem solving and memory. Brain tests also showed that members of this group have a larger brain size and more efficient nervous functions.

On the other hand, the study indicated that most teenagers do not get enough sleep between 8 to 10 hours per day according to medical recommendations, as the average sleep of the best participation group reached about 7 hours and 25 minutes.

Professor Barbara Sahakian, one of the participants in the research, explained that during sleep the brain performs complex operations to regulate memory and strengthen acquired skills, which explains the close connection between sleep quality and mental abilities.

The researchers advised adolescents wishing to improve their mental performance to adhere to several procedures, including: Avoid using electronic devices before bed, exercising physical activity regularly, and maintaining a fixed sleep schedule even on holidays.

This study provides additional evidence of the importance of sufficient sleep during adolescence, which is witnessing a decisive development in brain function.

Source: The Guardian