When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, you might not often associate the idea with teens, but a current video contest by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) just might prove that Gen Z cares more about their sleep health than we give them credit for (1).
This year’s contest has been titled “Sleep for Success” and runs through 5 p.m. EST on February 29, 2024. U.S. high school students who are at least 13 years of age are eligible to enter the contest by submitting an original, 30 to 90-second video showing teens the correlation between proper sleep and overall physical and mental health, along with improvements in their academics and sporting activities when they get the recommended hours of sleep each night.
According to the organization’s website, entrants will compete for cash prizes, with three, $750 prizes awarded for Most Creative, Most Informative, and Most Popular. All videos must be posted on YouTube, Instagram or TikTok and use the hashtag #SleepforSuccess2024. Videos must also be submitted to the AASM with a completed entry form.
The video contest originated in 2013 when the AASM Foundation hosted a contest in an effort to motivate teens to prioritize sleep. Now sponsored by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the contest continues to grow in entrants each year and works to remind students that not only does sleep help them perform their best, but it also helps keep them from getting drowsy behind the wheel.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, “Teens between 13 and 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours per night on a regular basis to promote optimal health.” Per the CDC, 78 percent of U.S. high school students get fewer than 8 hours of sleep per night, leading to chronic sleep loss that can impact their ability to make smart choices.
Yet, Gen Z has shown an increased interest in general health and wellness, including the power of sleep, through viral TikToks on sleepy girl mocktails, and making earlier bedtimes cool again. So, it’s possible they have an interest in improving sleep, but aren’t actually making it happen, or able to make it happen within the confines and stressors of teen life today, from social media to homework loads. Some studies show that they even have worse sleep stats than millennials.
Teens who do have solutions might want to study the videos from previous winners to get ideas on what to submit, and of course, how to get better sleep.
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Sources
1. AASM; “High School Video Contest,” https://sleepeducation.org/get-involved/campaigns/high-school-video-contest/; January 29, 2024.