American Academy of Sleep Medicine Launches Student Sleep Health Week to Promote Healthy Sleep Habits

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is hosting its seventh annual Student Sleep Health Week from September 14 to 18, 2023, focusing on the vital role of quality sleep in enhancing students’ academic performance, health, and overall well-being.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is set to host its seventh annual Student Sleep Health Week from September 14 to 18, 2023, emphasizing the crucial impact of healthy sleep on students’ academic and personal success. This year’s theme, “Sleep is Your Superpower,” aims to spotlight how adequate sleep can equip children and adolescents with the energy necessary for daily achievements.

Dr. Anuja Bandyopadhyay, a pediatric sleep physician and spokesperson for AASM, remarked, “Kids cannot perform their best physically, mentally, or emotionally without getting the right amount of healthy sleep.” She emphasized that establishing consistent sleep habits across all age groups is essential to ensure that students remain focused, energized, and prepared for both academic pursuits and extracurricular activities.

Challenges to Achieving Healthy Sleep

Despite the well-documented benefits of adequate sleep, many students struggle to obtain sufficient rest due to a variety of distractions. A recent survey commissioned by the AASM revealed that numerous activities negatively affect the sleep schedules of school-aged children and teenagers. The survey identified video games as the leading culprit, with 51% of parents reporting that gaming interferes with sleep. Social media usage follows closely at 44%, while homework affects 36% of respondents’ children. Other distractions include hanging out with friends (22%), participation in clubs and sports (20%), and afterschool jobs (13%).

Dr. Bandyopadhyay noted, “Between screens, homework, activities, and social commitments, there are many things competing with sleep for a student’s time.” She urged parents to take an active role in helping their children establish healthy sleep routines. Recommendations include setting clear boundaries around bedtime, limiting screen time before bed, planning homework and activities effectively, and ensuring that children have a regular routine that allows adequate time for sleep.

Recommended Sleep Durations

The AASM provides specific sleep duration guidelines tailored to different age groups. According to the organization, children aged 6 to 12 years should aim for nine to 12 hours of sleep each night, while adolescents aged 13 to 18 years should receive eight to 10 hours. To assist parents in determining appropriate bedtimes, the AASM offers an online bedtime calculator that factors in a child’s age and desired wake time, providing personalized recommendations for optimal sleep.

Collaborative Efforts and Resources for Student Sleep Health Week

Student Sleep Health Week is organized in collaboration with various supportive partners, including Active Minds, the American School Counselor Association, Let Me Run, the National Association of School Nurses, Project Sleep, the Sleep Research Society, the Society for Health and Physical Educators, and Start School Later. The initiative received formal recognition through a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020, which underscores the national significance of promoting healthy sleep habits among students.

For additional information regarding Student Sleep Health Week, including details on a social media sweepstake and an educator raffle, interested parties can visit the AASM’s dedicated Student Sleep Health Week webpage. Educators seeking to promote healthy sleep habits among students can access a comprehensive toolkit that includes educational resources, lesson plans, posters, and classroom activities designed to facilitate discussions on sleep health.

Social media engagement surrounding this initiative encourages participants to use the hashtags #SleepSuperheroes and #StudentSleepWeek, fostering discussions about the importance of sleep for student health and success. The AASM aims to raise awareness of the critical connection between sleep and various aspects of student life, including academic performance and mental health.

Survey Methodology and Insights

The insights from the AASM survey were based on responses from a sample of 2,007 adults in the United States, with a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points and a confidence interval of 95 percent. The survey was conducted by Atomik Research, an independent market research agency, between June 5 and June 13, 2025. Among the respondents, 1,003 were parents or guardians of children under 18 living in their households, providing a substantial basis for understanding the challenges and factors impacting student sleep.

About the American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Founded in 1975, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine is a medical association committed to advancing sleep care and enhancing sleep health to improve quality of life. The AASM comprises over 9,500 members, including physicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals dedicated to treating sleep disorders. Additionally, the AASM accredits approximately 2,300 sleep centers nationwide, ensuring high standards of sleep care across the country. The organization plays a crucial role in educating the public and healthcare professionals about the importance of sleep and its impact on overall health and well-being.