November 16, 2024 Issue, Page 12 of 12

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12+ SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2024 The Elk City News Sleepless in Oklahoma: lack of sleep takes a toll on teens By Trisha Gedon to be done” can be a big issue with fam- nology” he said. “Chronic He also suggests engaging juggles concurrent enroll- Some schools are push- ilies who are co-parenting gaming, binging videos and in physical activities. Regular ment at OSU, a part-time job STILLWATER, Okla. - ing for delayed start times because the teens are trying internet surfing leaves the exercise can counteract the of 20 to 30 hours per week School, homework, sports for high schools because re- to manage different routines brain deprived of needed sedentary lifestyle that often and socializing with her practice, part-time job, so- search suggests teens who at each parent's house.” rest time. This type of con- goes hand-in-hand with ex- friends. cializing with friends and start school later get more To help promote good stant exposure can lead to cessive screen time. “Oakley is very good at family time - are there sleep, have fewer absences sleep, Abel recommends Mandy Gross, mother of scheduling her time and increased mental health is- enough hours in the day? and have better academ- dimming the lights in the sues including anxiety and two teenage girls, said her plans homework —assign- Some teens sacrifice sleep so ic outcomes. The National evening because people are depression. Research indi- family relies on schedules. ments and studying around they can accomplish every- Sleep Foundation recom- exposed to bright lights all cates there have been spikes ‘A weekly calendar helps the her work schedule,’ Gross thing on their to-do lists. mends 8-10 hours of sleep day. It's important to be in- in these areas due to the in- family of four keep track of said. “Fortunately, she doesn’t Not getting enough shut- for teens and 9-11 hours for tentional about preparing for creased use of technology everyone’: activities, includ- have to be at school until 9 eye is a significant issue for children aged 6-13. sleep. Develop a routine and following the pandemic.” ing school, work, meal plan- a.m., so if she’s up a little later teens, resulting in lower ac- Not getting enough sleep stick to it because consisten- Parents need to set limits ning and chores. finishing homework she can ademic performance, health hinders concentration, cy is key. regarding screen time for “Knowing what's coming sleep in a bit?” issues and safety risks, said which can affect school per- “Students shouldn't do teens. Setting boundaries can up each week and schedul- Turning off electronics at Emily Abel, assistant pro- formance. When sleep-de- homework in bed. Allocate help reduce dependency on ing things is very beneficial a set time each night helps fessor in Oklahoma State prived teens drive to school, a place in the home that is a devices and improve mental for time management for all Gross’ eighth-grader, Keeley, University’s Department of work and other activities, dedicated homework space,” health. of us,’ Gross said. “Planning settle into a nighttime rou- Human Development and their lack of sleep becomes she said. “Also, a television in “Technology affects sleep meals around everyone's ac- tine. Electronics are turned Family Science. a safety issue for them and a teen’s bedroom isn't a good in that it interferes with the tivities helps, too. We plan off an hour before bed, giv- igh for teens others on the road. idea? production of melatonin, quick meals on busy nights, ing Keely time to read and leep with all “On weekends, parents Matt Brosi, OSU Exten- which makes it harder to fall so the girls have time to fin- relax before bedtime. may find their teens sleeping sion family science specialist, asleep)” Brosi said. “Avoiding ish homework before it gets “Our family is busy and work, plus many teens have late because they're trying to said that while technology electronic devices at least too late” both girls have a lot going on, jobs” Abel said. “Unfortu- catch up on the sleep they has many benefits, it can im- an hour before bedtime can Her oldest daughter, Oak- so for us, it all comes back nately, sleep is typically the didn't get during the week. pact sleep quality. help remedy that. Alterna- ley, is a senior who, in addi- to scheduling and planning first thing sacrificed in order Parents need to realize their “The brain is often be- tives could be to read a book tion to her high school class- ahead to ensure we all have to accomplish all that needs teens aren't being lazy, they're ing hyper-stimulated by the or practice relaxation tech- es and serving as an officer time to get plenty of rest,” she simply tired? she said. “This constant exposure to tech- niques.” in her local FFA chapter, also said. OSU Extension launches new beginning farmers and ranchers series with Nov. 14 garlic workshop By Alisa Boswell-Gore “We plan to equip people ed project will primarily focus The three-year Oklahoma ‘The garlic workshop will in- tion as part of the grant. with specific information that on the first two categories of program will provide infor- form potential garlic growers “A unique component to the STILLWATER, Okla. - allows them to be successful farmers with three years or less mation on enterprise budgets, about what varieties grow well Oklahoma Beginning Farmer Oklahoma State University re- farmers and ranchers in Okla- experience. marketing channels and tech- in the state and provide back- and Rancher Program is that cently has received a $719,000 homa;’ said Josh Campbell, “T think many new farmers nical expertise related to Okla- ground information on garlic we are working with a sover- United States Department of assistant state Extension pro- are unaware of the resources homa production through a production and what it takes eign nation as they establish Agriculture-National _Insti- gram specialist for beginning available, which makes it dif- series of workshops, webinars to grow garlic in Oklahoma. urban agriculture, vegetable tute of Food and Agriculture farmer and rancher develop- ficult to get into farming for and informational emails. ‘The workshop is free to attend, production and livestock pro- grant to help new farmers ment. the first time,’ Campbell said. ‘The first workshop is the Be- but pre-registration is encour- grams,” Mason said. and ranchers get their start in “We'll look at crops, live- “There's a lot involved in start- ginning Farmer Garlic Work- aged. “We are not starting from Oklahoma. stock or whatever agriculture ing an agriculture business, shop from 2 to 4 p.m. on Nov. ‘The Beginning Farmers and ground zero,’ he added. “We ‘The average age of an agri- enterprise someone is interest- and many people aren't pur- 14 at the OSU Student Farm Ranchers program will launch are meeting the farmers where cultural producer in the US. ed in through the lens of what suing their dreams of farming (2917 W. Sixth Ave.). In 2023, a 16-week webinar series and they're at in life and work ex- today is 58, and the number it takes to be successful here in because they think the chal- ‘Tyler Mason, assistant profes- a lunchtime series to discuss perience and taking them to of family farms in the US. is Oklahoma” lenges that come with it will be sor in the OSU Department of budgeting, technical informa- the next steps” decreasing. The Beginning The USDA defines begin- too difficult to overcome. We Horticulture and Landscape tion and other aspects of be- For more information, visit Farmers and Ranchers Pro- ning farmers and ranchers in hope to provide clarity regard- Architecture, began a research ginning farming and ranching the BFR website. To register gram is critical to establishing five experience categories from ing information and resources project to evaluate how 10 gar- in February 2025. for the garlic workshop, vis- the next generation of produc- zero to 10 years of farm own- and help guide people through lic varieties grow in the Okla- OSU is also working with it the OSU Extension Events ers, ership. OSU’ new NIFA-fund- them” homa climate. the College of Muskogee Na- Calendar.