Sleep Newzzz

Information from "The Sleep Doctor" for better sleep and better health.

by Michael J. Breus, Ph.D.

Adolescents Losing Sleep Over “It”

By Michael J. Breus, Ph.D. on July 16, 2009 in Sleep Newzzz

"It" just keeps getting worse. And "it" is robbing our adolescents of the sleep they need to learn, be healthy, and probably feel good about themselves. What is "it"? A combination of things:

* Obesity * Technology abuse * Caffeine abuse * Sleeplessness Read More

Don't forget TV

Submitted by Terry on July 16, 2009 - 8:09pm.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sleep-newzzz/200907/adolescents-losi...

Dr. Breus wrote:

"2. Go low-tech after a specific hour at night,
or within two hours of bedtime. Shut down email,
stop Internet surfing, turn off the cell phone."

It looks like you forget to mention television
as an additional culprit:

"Too much TV during the day could mean too little
sleep for kids, according to a new study."

http://www.sciencentral.com/articles/view.php3?article_id=218392288&cat=1_4

"Middle school children who have a television or
computer in their room sleep less during the school
year, watch more TV, play more computer games and
surf the net more than their peers who don't –
reveals joint research conducted by the University
of Haifa and Jezreel Valley College."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902102536.htm

And of course there is also a strong association
between extensive TV watching (which is the new norm)
and obesity:

"Less Sleep, More TV Leads To Overweight Infants And Toddlers"

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407160735.htm

"Adults who watch more than 21 hours of TV a week were 80 per
cent more likely to be obese than people who watched five hours
or less television."

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080618/tv_obesity_...

Technology

Submitted by Alex on July 17, 2009 - 8:38am.

Whether it's TV or Computers depends on the person. Personally I watch little to no TV - usually only a movie on occasion if I have a friend over for that express purpose. But I'm on the computer at least 5 hours a day (outside of work!). So that's my issue.

Is it specifically the light, though, or is it the intellectual stimulation? The interactivity? The sitting position?

Would reading a fascinating book keep you just as awake if you are sitting up rather than lying down? Would working away (on paper) also keep you awake? Or talking to a roommate late into the night?

I wonder if it's not a combination of factors, in which case it's not just about turning off the technology, it's about avoiding overstimulation in the hour or two before bed.

reply
quote

Internet and Sleep

Submitted by Dr. Breus on July 17, 2009 - 10:01am.

There is now data to suggest that longer electronic media use before sleep triggers a self-perception of insufficient sleep-not a real one. Thus the TV and Internet use before bed may have less to do with how long you sleep at night and more to do with how much sleep you really need and the quality of that sleep.

Light also appears to be a big factor, while reading a book you can control the light by using a book light and darkening your surroundings, whereas on the computer you would need to turn the brightness down.

Also unless you are on your laptop in bed, you have to get up, turn off teh computer, etc. All of this autonomic stimulation will lead to wakefulness.

At the end of the day: reading a book is fine with a book light, to help relax you into sleep.

Sweet Dreams,

Dr. Michael Breus, PhD
The Sleep Doctor