Have you ever wondered why your parents always say, “Go to bed early,” or why everything feels off when you don’t sleep enough? Sleep isn’t just about lying down. It’s when your body and brain get to work behind the scenes. Let’s break it down. Sleep Is Your Body’s Recharge Button Think of your body like your phone. When the battery is low, apps lag, things freeze, and nothing works right. Sleep is how you recharge. While you sleep: Your muscles repair themselves Your skin r

Introduction Imagine feeling like life has never been better. You’re full of joy and laughing with people you love, only for you to fall into deep sadness the next day. Unfortunately, for people who suffer from bipolar disorder, this is their reality. Their episodes of mania and depression can deeply affect their relationships, performance, and overall health. By understanding this disorder, we can help break the stigma that surrounds it and support the people who live with

Teenagers need about eight to ten hours of sleep each night to stay healthy and perform well in school. However, many teens do not get enough sleep on school nights. During adolescence, the body’s internal clock naturally shifts later, which means most teenagers do not feel sleepy until around 11 p.m., even if they try to go to bed earlier. At the same time, many high schools start before 8:30 a.m., forcing students to wake up as early as 6 a.m. to get ready, catch the bus, o

The Health Education Access League (HEAL) is proud to announce our March Research Challenge, dedicated to one of the most urgent issues in modern medicine: health inequality. Across communities and countries, access to healthcare is not equal. From disparities in maternal mortality to gaps in mental health services, millions of people face barriers to the care they deserve. This month, we’re inviting students to explore these challenges through thoughtful, evidence-based rese

Physical activity plays a critical role in the health and development of teenagers. Physical activity includes any movement that uses energy, such as walking, running, biking, swimming, dancing, or participating in sports. Health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that teens ages 6–17 get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day. However, many teens do not meet this recommendation, which increases their

When I was younger, I honestly believed the heart looked exactly like the red shape in cartoons. You know the one, perfect curves, cute and neat. I was very wrong. Your real heart doesn’t look like that at all. It’s a strong muscle sitting inside your chest, slightly to the left. It’s about the size of your fist. Make a fist right now. That’s roughly how big it is. Small… but incredibly powerful. What Does It Actually Do? Think about a water pump that pushes water through

Introduction Whether it’s the way you kick off your day or an afternoon pick-me-up, caffeinated drinks are a staple of daily life in the United States for teens and adults. Many people crush their day job with the help of several cups of coffee, and tasty coffee creamers only add to the appeal. Adorably branded energy drinks live in the manicured fingers of the influencers on everyone’s TikTok FYP. And no one could pass up the 2-for-1 deals on Monster at convenience stores.

Have you ever worn new shoes, played outside, or held a tool and ended up with a little bump on your skin filled with liquid? That’s called a blister! Blisters are tiny bubbles that form under the top layer of your skin. They can be filled with clear liquid, blood, or sometimes pus if they get infected. Most blisters appear on your hands or feet, but they can form anywhere your skin rubs, presses, or gets hurt. How Do Blisters Happen? Blisters are your skin’s way of protecti

Do you ever lie in bed at night and just can’t fall asleep? Or maybe you wake up too early and feel tired all day? You might be learning about something called insomnia. Let’s explore what it is, why it happens, and how people can feel better. What is Insomnia? Insomnia is a sleep problem where a person has trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested after sleeping. People with insomnia may feel tired, cranky, or find it hard to concentrate during the day. Inso

Introduction Polio, also called poliomyelitis, is a sickness caused by a virus that mostly affects children under 5. It spreads when someone touches infected poop, drinks dirty water, or eats contaminated food. The virus grows in the throat and intestines. Most people only get mild flu-like symptoms like fever, tiredness, headache, or sore arms and legs. But in about one out of every 200 cases, polio can cause permanent paralysis, which means a child might not be able to mov

Diabetes is a health condition that makes it hard for your body to use sugar from the food you eat for energy. Normally, when you eat, your body breaks down food into sugar called glucose, which goes into your blood. Your pancreas (a small organ near your stomach) makes a hormone called insulin, which acts like a key to help glucose enter your body’s cells so you can have energy. When someone has diabetes, the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it properly.

What Are Cavities? Cavities are small holes that form in your teeth. They happen when bacteria in your mouth use sugar from foods and drinks to make acid. This acid damages tooth enamel, which is the hard outer layer of your teeth. Even though enamel is very strong, once it is damaged, it cannot grow back. How Cavities Form After eating, food and bacteria can stick to your teeth and form a sticky layer called plaque. If plaque is not cleaned away by brushing and flossing, t

Introduction If there’s one thing we all can agree on, it is that we’ve all had an injury at one point in our lives. Whether it was a papercut, a broken bone, or a cut in our legs, we’ve all been hurt. However, for our sports fans out there, I know you’ve experienced far worse than just a papercut before. Each sport is different, but they are all taxing in one way or another and can all lead to many different sports injuries. So today, let’s learn about more of them!  Classi

Introduction Did you know you can survive weeks without food but only days without water? Water is essential for your health and survival. Water has many roles in our bodies, like protecting our organs, assisting in digestion, and maintaining overall health. Benefits of staying hydrated Staying hydrated helps children think better and concentrate on their fun and learning activities. Drinking water aids in digestion, helps our bodies break down food, and absorbs nutrients. W

Have you ever heard of intermittent fasting, or IF for short? It’s a way of planning when you eat instead of just what you eat. People who do IF switch between times when they eat and times when they don’t. Some do it to feel healthier, some to lose weight, and others just to see how their bodies react. But is it safe, and does it really work? Let’s break it down. What Happens When You Fast? When you don’t eat for a while, usually at least 12 hours, your body changes how it

Introduction Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that affects people’s body image, weight, mental health, physical health, and more. Restricting anorexia nervosa applies to a person who eats minimal or no calories, with or without extreme exercising. This topic matters because of misconceptions around the topic, like how people think anorexia only affects weight, but in reality, it affects every organ in the body, or how serious this issue is. The purpose of this blog is

Introduction Not all teens have the same access to healthcare, mental health support, or safe environments. Some teens can easily talk to a counselor or visit a doctor, while others face barriers like cost, location, or lack of resources. This is where health equity comes in. Health equity is about making sure every teen has a fair chance to be healthy and supported. What Is Health Equity? Health equity means that everyone gets the support they need to be healthy, even if t

Introduction Adolescence is a time of big changes. Teens experience changes in their bodies, emotions, friendships, and responsibilities. Because of this, mental health support is especially important during these years. Having support can help teens feel understood, safe, and confident while growing up. What Mental Health Support Means Mental health support includes help from: Parents or caregivers Teachers and school counselors Doctors or therapists Trusted friends or ment

Introduction Physical activity is often talked about as a way to stay healthy and strong, but it’s also very important for mental health. For teens, moving the body can help reduce stress, improve mood, and boost confidence. Exercise doesn’t have to be intense—it just has to get you moving! How Exercise Helps the Brain When teens are physically active, their brains release chemicals called endorphins. These are sometimes called “feel-good chemicals” because they help reduce

Introduction Phones, tablets, TVs, and computers are a big part of everyday life for teens. They help with school, entertainment, and staying connected with friends. However, too much screen time—especially at night—can affect how well teens sleep and how well they focus during the day. What Counts as Screen Time? Screen time includes anything that uses a screen, such as: Watching videos or TV Playing video games Scrolling on social media Texting or chatting online Doing hom