A Happy, Healthy School A Monthly Mini-Blog on Adolescent Health & Well-being @MGGS

A Happy, Healthy School A Monthly Mini-Blog on Adolescent Health & Well-being

This month, we’re shining a light on an important (but often overlooked) aspect of health; sleep. 

February: Screen Time vs. Sleep Time – The Digital Detox 

Challenge

Scrolling before bed? We’ve all been there. But did you know that using your phone late at night stops your brain from producing melatonin, the hormone that helps you fall asleep? This can make it harder to drift off, leading to poor-quality sleep. Lack of sleep doesn’t just leave you feeling tired, it affects memory, mood, concentration, and even decision-making, making schoolwork feel more challenging than it needs to be.

Teenagers need 8–10 hours of sleep each night to function at their best, yet many fall short because of late-night screen time. Even if you’re not actively using your phone, simply having it in your room can be distracting. Notifications, buzzing alerts, or the temptation to check ‘just one more message’ can interrupt your sleep or stop you from falling into a deep, restful cycle.

This month, we’re encouraging everyone to take on the MGGS Digital Detox Challenge:

• Switch off devices at least 60 minutes before bed.
• Swap your phone for a book, a podcast, or mindfulness exercises to help you unwind.
• If you can, keep your phone out of your bedroom altogether—out of sight, out of mind!

MGGS Challenge: Try a “phone-free” bedtime for one week and see how it affects your sleep. You might be surprised at how much more refreshed, focused, and energised you feel each day!