Not only is it hard science that a good nights sleep is essential for our overall health and vitality, its common sense. However, many of us throw science and common sense out the window when it comes to our beloved technological devices. Gadgets like iPhones, laptops, video game consoles, and TVs disrupt our sleep in excess, and yet, we still go on texting, LOL-ing, and gaming.
The following information is based on research done by the National Sleep Foundation and may encourage you to think twice before sending that late-night email or staying up past midnight for a Downton Abbey marathon.
Kiss Your Zzz’s Good-Bye
The survey from the National Sleep Foundation discovered that 51% of people who use electronic devices one hour before they sleep report rarely or never getting a good nights sleep. How can you possibly expect to lead a happy, healthy, and successful life if you’re rarely resting yourself?
D.W.D: Driving While Drowsy
66% of the sleepy-heads studied reported driving while still drowsy. We could be wrong, but this doesn’t exactly sound safe. And don’t even get us started on texting while driving!
Killing You Softly with Caffeine
The sleep study also showed that people who used technology before bedtime were more likely to consume caffeine. And, though small amounts of caffeine can be beneficial to our health, many participants in the study copped to consuming 6-10 beverages a day to cope with their drowsiness which, according to Mayo Clinic findings, is unhealthy to say the least.
The Kids Aren’t Alright
The survey also focused on Generation Z’ers (ages 13-18) and discovered that nearly half (46%) aren’t getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night. 56% said that they text at least one hour before bed every night and 28% indicated that they leave their ringers on when they snooze. How does this affect their studying, you might wonder? Lack of sleep causes lower information retention, as well as lack of concentration. It also might keep them from “sleep texting”, a growing phenomenon amongst teens in which they send embarrassing or unnecessary texts in their sleep and have no memory in the morning.
The Heart of the Matter
Not only does sleep affect your driving ability, general mood, and productivity but it also affects your heart. According to the American Heart Association, people who experience chronic sleep loss are at a greater risk for heart disease, heart attack, and heart failure than those who saw logs for at least 8 hours a night. That being said, you’re not only risking fatique and mental acuity when you have a techno-fest, but your also risking the health of one of your ticker.
Early Birds Become Night Owls
At this point, it probably goes without saying, but using technology also encourages people to stay up later and later. This can cause an array of issues such as the ones described above as well as over-sleeping, a lack of intimacy with significant others, and a general feeling of “over stimulation” and anxiety throughout the day.
How to Catch Some Zzz’s
-Commit to turning off all technological devices AT LEAST one hour before you sleep. Instead, read, write, or draw if your mind is still feeling active.
-Remove the techno culprits completely! Out of sight, out of mind may help you with your technological dilemma. Leave cell-phones, computers, and gaming consoles OUT of the bedroom.
-Ask your significant other to join you in committing to a techno-free bedroom.
-Exercise in the morning or afternoon. Studies show that people who exercise typically sleep better and have an easier time dozing off. If you’re bone tired at the end of your day from running, kickboxing, or yogaing, then perhaps you won’t feel the need to Snap Chat or LOL late into the night.
-Insist that your kiddos turn their cell phone off one hour before bedtime and buy them a traditional alarm clock so that they aren’t tempted to use their phone to wake them.
Sleep smart, and sleep well!
