The Dangers of Staying Up Late for Teenagers

THE DANGERS OF STAYING UP LATE FOR TEENAGERS

By: Pretty Putri Pamungkas N

Chemistry Education Student

Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training

UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta

            Nowadays many teenagers have an unhealthy lifestyle, and staying up late (begadang) is nothing unusual among them. Staying up late too often makes a person sleep-deprived; if done only occasionally it may not be a problem. However, if it is done too often, there are many health effects that can occur. Begadang is the habit of staying awake until late at night and going to sleep as morning approaches. Some members of society, especially teenagers, have not yet adopted a healthy lifestyle; most teenagers find it hard to be asked to go to bed at 9 p.m., and some of them even find themselves in a situation where they stay up late at night and then have to leave for school in the morning.

            Many teenagers spend late hours of the night because they are studying, doing assignments, taking part in organisations and carrying out other activities. Another reason teenagers go to bed too late is that they are absorbed in playing on their phones, social media or online games, which makes them lose track of time. Teenagers who habitually sleep late at night, known as begadang, will sooner or later experience several problems for their physical health, brain and social gaps: they lose focus easily, get sleepy easily, find it hard to concentrate, suffer decreased memory and productivity, are prone to stress, and experience reduced sexual desire. Meanwhile, the dangers of staying up late for women should not be taken lightly either. Physical health problems such as weight gain, as well as mental problems such as depression, are simple examples of the dangers of staying up late for women.

            The habit of staying up late can also increase the risk of serious diseases such as diabetes, stroke, hypertension, obesity, heart attack, heart failure, and an increased heart rate. Psychologically, illnesses that can result from staying up late include mental disorders, anxiety, depression, paranoia and even suicidal thoughts. When teenagers often stay up late or sleep late at night, it causes puffy eyes, pale skin, and disrupted production of hormones. The dangers of staying up late for the body will disrupt hormone production, with effects such as reduced sexual desire; staying up too often can lower the libido and lower the desire to have sexual intercourse. The reason is that too much energy is drained and there is excessive sleepiness; this condition does not occur only in men, and women have the same risk.

            Efforts to anticipate the dangers of staying up late for teenagers can be made by drinking plenty of water, at least 2 litres per day, exercising regularly, cutting down on cigarettes, soda and coffee, and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables. In addition, keep paying attention to a regular sleep pattern of at least six hours per day. To prevent staying up late at night, you can take several steps, such as not napping in the daytime, setting a bedtime reminder alarm, shortening nap time, not eating 2 hours before bed, not playing with gadgets before bed, not consuming caffeine or alcohol before bed, and going to sleep at the same time every night, even on weekends or holidays. If these steps cannot reduce the frequency of staying up late, it is advisable to see a doctor. Remember that there are many dangers of staying up late for the body that lurk if it is done too often.

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