Is it normal to not be able to sleep well during puberty and how to prevent this from happening (I’m asking because it happened last night and I started to try to fall asleep at 8:30 and fell asleep sometime between 12:45-1:15)

Okay so yeah, not sleeping well during puberty is totally normal. It's like your body is going through so many changes, and that can mess with your sleep schedule, which is super annoying when you just want to sleep.

Why it happens

During puberty, your body starts making all these new hormones, and they literally tell your brain when to feel sleepy and when to be awake. But when you're growing super fast, these hormones can get a bit mixed up, pushing your sleepy time later and later. Plus, your brain is just doing a lot of extra work, and sometimes it just doesn't want to shut down, you know? It's not just you; it happens to a lot of kids your age.

What you can do about it

Even though it's normal, it's still no fun to be tired all the time. Here are some things that can help:

• Stick to a schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, even on weekends. It helps your body get into a rhythm.
• Wind down: About an hour before bed, stop looking at screens like your phone or tablet. The blue light can tell your brain to stay awake. Read a book, listen to some chill music, or just hang out.
• Comfy space: Make sure your room is dark, quiet, and not too hot or too cold. Your bed should just be for sleeping, not doing homework or playing games.
• Chill before bed: If you're stressed or thinking too much, try some deep breaths or listen to a guided meditation. There are tons of free apps for that.

It's a good idea to talk to a grown-up if you're really struggling to sleep, especially if it's happening a lot. They might have other ideas or can help you figure out what's going on.