Editorial Review
Sleep-Deprived Nation: Why Sleep Matters - Booklist
This well-researched book explains what sleep is and that it’s important for everyone, especially teenagers, who are the “most sleep-deprived group of any individuals the world has ever seen,” according to psychotherapists and sleep specialists Heather Turgeon and Julie Wright. The book discusses why not getting enough sleep is so common for adults, as well as the issues associated with chronic sleep problems (e.g., increased traffic accidents, loss of work productivity). Unsurprisingly, studies show young people aren’t getting enough sleep because of their constant digital device usage and because they are overextended with school activities and other responsibilities. One teen is quoted as saying she wishes the consequences of driving drowsy had been addressed in her driver’s education classes. The dangers associated with too little sleep are discussed, and suggestions for developing healthy sleep habits are offered. Studies show that the few schools that have moved to late start times for students have yielded positive results. A useful and concisely written resource full of compelling statistics.
—Sharon Rawlins