Sleep Hygiene Education in Adolescents: The Role of the Pediatric Nurses

Abstract

Pediatric nurses have an essential role in promoting adolescent health. Adolescence is a vital childhood period. This period is the transition from childhood to adulthood, and the mainstay of a healthy life occurs. Adolescents’ needs and risks should be considered to continue their growth and development. Sleep is an essential factor influencing adolescent health, such as nutrition, physical activity, psychosocial environment, and risky behaviors. Sleep is directly related to situations such as physical health, the development of cognitive skills, and risky behaviors for adolescents. If adolescents do not have adequate and quality sleep, they face various problems such as learning difficulties, low academic success, accidents, and injuries. Sleep hygiene programs are beneficial for preventing adolescent’s sleep problems. Sleep hygiene programs contain parameters such as creating a sleep schedule, regulating daily physical activity and eating habits, creating a pre-sleep routine, reducing caffeine consumption, and creating a sleep environment. Pediatric nurses lead sleep hygiene education programs together with adolescents’ parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals. It is recommended to develop games and web-based alternative designs. Games and web-based designs increase the effectiveness of sleep hygiene programs. This article aimed to emphasize the importance of sleep health in adolescents and the roles of pediatric nurses. Sleep hygiene practices are essential to develop healthy sleep patterns in adolescents. The article points out the roles of pediatric nurses, such as educators, guides, and consultants, in promoting the sleep health of adolescents. Keywords: Adolescent, sleep hygiene education, pediatric nursing.