Disclaimer – I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

*Rated M for Mature

Sleep

Joey yawned as he sat in his seat. Rubbing at his eyes to clear them, he looked up at the board. The word "sleep" was written in large letters on it. If this wasn't a coincidence, he didn't know what was.

"Today we're going to talk about sleep," started Mr. Wilson.

Kaiba glanced around the class before sipping his coffee.

"Most teens need about 8 ½ to more than 9 hours of sleep each night," he continued.

Kaiba sprayed coffee everywhere. "Are you serious?!"

Mr. Wilson nodded. "How much do you sleep?"

"On average, maybe 5 hours."

Ms. Stuart hummed. "Getting the right amount of sleep is essential for anyone who wants to do well on a test or play sports without stumbling. And I suppose in your case, running a company. Unfortunately, though, many people your age don't get enough sleep."

"Why don't we get enough sleep?" asked Yugi.

"Until recently, teens often got a bad rap for staying up late, oversleeping for school, and falling asleep in class. But recent studies show that adolescent sleep patterns actually differ from those of adults or kids," said Ms. Stuart.

"Really?" started Joey, interested.

"Yes," Mr. Wilson continued. "Experts say that during the teen years, the body's circadianrhythm, which is sort of like an internal biological clock, is temporarily reset, telling a person to fall asleep later and wake up later. This change might be due to the fact that the brain hormonemelatonin is produced later at night for teens than it is for kids and adults. This can make it harder for teens to fall asleep early."

"Totally didn't know that," said Duke.

"These changes in the body's circadian rhythm coincide with a busy time in life. For most teens, the pressure to do well in school is more intense than when they were kids, and it's harder to get by without studying hard. And teens also have other time demands — everything from sports and other extracurricular activities to working a part-time job to save money for college.

"Early start times in some schools also might play a role in lost sleep. Teens who fall asleep after midnight may still have to get up early for school, meaning that they might squeeze in only 6 or 7 hours of sleep a night. A few hours of missed sleep a night may not seem like a big deal, but it can create a noticeable sleep deficit over time," finished Mr. Wilson.

Joey glanced over at Kaiba before looking back to his teachers. "Why is sleep important?"

"Well, a sleep deficit affects everything from someone's ability to pay attention in class to his or her mood. According to a National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America poll, more than 25% of high school students fall asleep in class, and experts have tied lost sleep to poorer grades. Lack of sleep also damages teens' ability to do their best in athletics," said Ms. Stuart.

"Slowed responses and dulled concentration from lack of sleep don't just affect school or sports performance, though. More than half of teens surveyed reported that they have driven a car while drowsy over the past year and 15% said they drove drowsy at least once a week. The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration estimates that more than 100,000 accidents, 40,000 injuries, and 1,500 people are killed in the U.S. every year in crashes caused by drivers who are simply tired. Young people under the age of 25 are far more likely to be involved in drowsy driving crashes," added Mr. Wilson.

Ms. Stuart nodded. "Lack of sleep also is linked to emotional troubles, such as feelings of sadness and depression. Sleep helps keep us physically healthy, too, by slowing the body's systems to re-energize us for everyday activities."

"How do we know if we're getting enough sleep?" asked Yugi.

"Even if you think you're getting enough sleep, you might not be. There are some of the signs that you may need more sleep. Difficulty waking up in the morning, inability to concentrate, falling asleep during classes, and feelings of moodiness and even depression.

The class immediately glanced at Kaiba.

"Why does everyone look at me?! He's the one who dozes off all the time!" Kaiba snapped, indicating Joey.

Yugi's hand shot up. "How can we get more sleep?"

"Some researchers, parents, and teachers have suggested that middle- and high-school classes begin later in the morning to accommodate teens' need for more sleep. Some schools have implemented later start times. You and your friends, parents, and teachers can lobby for later start times at your school, but in the meantime you'll have to make your own adjustments," said Ms. Stuart.

"So what are some ways that may help you sleep better?" asked Mr. Wilson.

"Set a regular bedtime," said Yugi.

"Good. Going to bed at the same time each night signals to your body that it's time to sleep. Waking up at the same time every day also can help establish sleep patterns. So try to stick as closely as you can to your sleep schedule, even on weekends. Try not to go to sleep more than an hour later or wake up more than 2 to 3 hours later than you do during the week," said Mr. Wilson.

"Exercise regularly," offered Tea.

"Yes. But try not to exercise right before bed, though, as it can rev you up and make it harder to fall asleep. Finish exercising at least 3 hours before bedtime. Many sleep experts believe that exercising in late afternoon may actually help a person sleep," said Ms. Stuart.

"Avoid stimulants," said Duke, shooting Kaiba a look; he glared back at him.

"Don't drink beverages with caffeine, such as soda and coffee, after 4 p.m. Nicotine is also a stimulant, so quitting smoking may help you sleep better. And drinking alcohol in the evening can make a person restless and interrupt sleep," advised Mr. Wilson.

"Relax your mind," stated Yami.

"Yes! Avoid violent, scary, or action movies or television shows right before bed — anything that might set your mind and heart racing. Reading books with involved or active plots may also keep you from falling or staying asleep," said Ms. Stuart.

"Unwind by keeping the lights low," said Tristan.

"Light signals the brain that it's time to wake up. Staying away from bright lights, including computer screens, as well as meditating or listening to soothing music, can help your body relax. Try to avoid TV, computers and other electronics, and using your phone, including texting, at least 1 hour before you go to bed," said Mr. Wilson.

"If you look at me again, I will snap you in two," Kaiba warned his classmates.

"And don't nap too much!" said Yugi.

"Naps of more than 30 minutes during the day and naps too close to bedtime may keep you from falling asleep later," said Ms. Stuart.

"Well, that sucks," said Joey. "How about avoidin' all-nighters?"

"That's a good one. Don't wait until the night before a big test to study. Cutting back on sleep the night before a test may mean you perform worse than you would if you'd studied less but got more sleep."

"Create the right sleeping environment," offered Tea.

"Studies show that people sleep best in a dark room that is slightly on the cool side. Close your blinds or curtains, and make sure they're heavy enough to block out light, and turn down the thermostat, pile on extra blankets or wear PJs if you're cold. Lots of noise can be a sleep turnoff, too. Use a nature sounds or white-noise machine if you need to block out a noisy environment," said Mr. Wilson. "I think we have time for one more."

"Wake up with bright light," said Kaiba.

"Exactly. Bright light in the morning signals your body that it's time to get going. If it's dark in your room, it can help to turn on a light as soon as your alarm goes off," said Ms. Stuart.

"And if you're drowsy, it's hard to look and feel your best. Schedule "sleep" as an item on your agenda to help you stay creative and healthy," added Mr. Wilson.

The (factual) information I got for this drabble came from KidsHealth.