Start school later, sleep longer, learn better
Medical Xpress
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Starting school later and allowing adolescents to sleep longer can significantly enhance their well-being, academic performance, and overall health, according to a groundbreaking study conducted by the University of Zurich and the University Children's Hospital Zurich. The research, published in the *Journal of Adolescent Health*, highlights the negative effects of chronic sleep deprivation among teenagers during school days and demonstrates how flexible start times can lead to improved outcomes.
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to sleep issues due to biological changes that shift their sleep-wake cycles later at night. Early school start times often force them to wake up before their bodies are ready, leading to chronic sleep deprivation. This lack of sleep is linked to a host of problems, including poor academic performance, mental health struggles, and reduced quality of life. The study emphasizes the importance of aligning school schedules with adolescents' natural sleep patterns by implementing flexible or later start times.
The findings underscore why
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/26/2026