You call your teenager for breakfast and they drag themselves out of bed, eyes heavy, shoulders slumped. You ask, “Why are you always tired?” and the answer is predictable: “I slept late.”
Across India, parents are noticing the same pattern—teens who are perpetually tired, cranky, and unable to focus. The culprits are often the same: screens and stress.
Late-night scrolling, binge-watching, chatting with friends—screens eat into sleep hours silently. What feels like “just 10 minutes more” quickly becomes midnight. Add the stress of academics, peer pressure, and expectations, and the result is exhaustion.
“Teenagers are not lazy. They are tired—because their brains and bodies are overloaded.”
Research shows teenagers need 8–9 hours of sleep. Most get less than 6 on school nights. Sleep is not just rest—it’s when the brain files memories, balances hormones, and prepares for the next day. Without it, mood dips, concentration suffers, and even immunity weakens.
Parents often mistake this tiredness for laziness. But blaming only widens the gap. Instead, guide with understanding. Start by setting household screen boundaries. No phones in bedrooms at night. Create charging stations outside, so devices don’t tempt them under the pillow.
Second, help your teen manage stress. Indian teens juggle heavy boards, coaching, and constant comparison. Encourage healthy outlets—sports, art, music, or even simple walks. Teach them that rest is not wasted time. Sometimes, sleeping an extra hour does more good than solving one more math problem at midnight.
I once had a student who regularly dozed off in class. His parents were furious, assuming laziness. But when I asked, he admitted he was up till 1 a.m. chatting on his phone, and then woke up at 5 a.m. for coaching. Once his parents set stricter phone rules and prioritized sleep, his energy and performance improved drastically. It wasn’t his ability that was failing—it was his body.
“The best study hack for teenagers is not another app or tuition. It is good sleep.”
As a parent, model balance too. If children see us on screens late into the night, they will mirror it. Show them that rest is respected in your home.
So, when your teenager seems endlessly tired, don’t start with scolding. Start with listening. Together, cut down on late-night screens, reduce stress where possible, and restore sleep to its rightful place.
Because a rested teenager is not just happier. They are also kinder, sharper, and more resilient—the very qualities we hope to see in them.