Patna: Adequate sleep is as important as a balanced diet for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, senior physician Dr. Diwakar Tejaswi said while addressing students at Arya Kanya Higher Secondary School in Naya Tola.
Speaking during the “Walk for Life” awareness programme organised by PAHAL (Public Awareness for a Healthful Approach to Living), Dr. Tejaswi warned that sleep deprivation among adolescent girls is becoming an increasingly serious health issue due to excessive mobile phone use, social media engagement, online studies, web series consumption and academic pressure.
Dr. Tejaswi, who serves as the Medical Director of PAHAL, said students in Classes 11 and 12 require between seven and nine hours of quality sleep every day for healthy physical and mental development.
“A lack of sleep directly affects memory, concentration and emotional stability,” he said, adding that chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to stress, anxiety and depression among students.
He also cautioned that poor sleep habits could aggravate long-term health conditions including obesity, hormonal imbalance, PCOS, migraines, eye-related disorders and weakened immunity.
Highlighting the growing dependence on smartphones among teenagers, Dr. Tejaswi said many students have normalised late-night screen use without realising its consequences. According to him, the blue light emitted by mobile screens interferes with the brain’s natural sleep cycle, making it harder to fall asleep and reducing sleep quality.
He advised students to avoid using electronic gadgets at least an hour before bedtime, follow a consistent sleep schedule, limit caffeinated drinks late at night and include light exercise or walking in their daily routine.
“Sleep hygiene is just as essential as academic performance and proper nutrition for a healthy body and a successful future,” he said.
At the end of the programme, students were encouraged to maintain a disciplined lifestyle, reduce stress and practise digital discipline.
Among those present at the event were acting principal Shanti Kumari, Aastha Foundation members Purushottam Kumar and Dharmendra Kumar, along with several other guests and educators.
