Is There Something Better Than Sleeping Pills to Help Teens Get the Sleep They Need?

Sleep is precious, but it can be elusive. Many Americans are chronically sleep-deprived, and the problem seems even worse for adolescents. They still need more sleep than adults, but their daily sleep-wake cycle shifts to a later pattern. As a result, many young people have a hard time falling asleep in the evening. Frequently high school schedules require them to rise early. Is there something better than sleeping pills for sleep-deprived teenagers?

Sleep-Deprived Teenagers

A research letter in JAMA this week reports that American teenagers are NOT getting enough sleep (JAMA, March 2, 2026). The study looked at trends from 2007 to 2023.

According to the investigators,

“The percentage of students reporting insufficient sleep increased from 68.9% in 2007 to 76.8% in 2023.”

The number of adolescents who sleep 5 hours or less a night increased dramatically. On the other hand, there was little change in the proportion getting at least 7 hours a night.

An accompanying editorial notes inadequate sleep is linked to academic struggles, cognitive difficulties and depression (JAMA, March 2, 2026). It recommends changes in school start times and reduced use of phones and tablets in the evening.

We certainly don’t want sleep-deprived young people to turn to sleeping pills. We were pleased to hear from a mother about the alternative her daughter finds helpful.

What Could Be Better Than Sleeping Pills?

Q. One of your recommended remedies has been very helpful for my teenage daughter. She was having a lot of difficulty sleeping and was taking prescription trazodone most nights to sleep.

I read in one of your books that Sea-Bands could be a possible solution to improve sleep. It was very affordable, so we decided to try this nonchemical solution.

She has been using them for three months and hasn’t had to take trazodone at all. I am thrilled that she doesn’t have to take a drug any more and she wakes up much more refreshed!

We shared our success with a group of friends. Another girl had similar sleep problems. She tried Sea-Bands and had the same type of success.

Acupressure to Help Sleep

A. Years ago we heard from a reader who taped a dry kidney bean on the inside of his wrist every night to sleep. The spot was between the two tendons, three finger-widths from the wrist crease. This is an acupressure point called the Inner Gate that is said to alleviate anxiety and promote sleep.

Sea-Bands are elastic wrist bands with a plastic button embedded in them. They are sold to ease motion and morning sickness.

Learn More

We are pleased to learn that this simple low-tech approach worked well for insomnia. There are a number of other nondrug options for easing into sleep in our  Guide to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep.  You may also wish to listen to our podcast on sleep. It is Show 1393: How to Get the Sleep You Need. Parents may also be interested in Show 1303: The Mental Health Crisis Affecting American Teenagers.