Electronic devices are wonderful inventions and on so many levels have improved the quality of our lives in so many ways. Televisions, IPads, IPods, mobile phones, laptops and desktops are all examples of current electronic devices found in most homes.
We are surrounded with so many gadgets that have basically become indispensable to our daily lives. Despite the convenience that technology provides us there can be an important detriment to us.
All this technology can negatively impact our sleep. Each year the National Sleep Foundation surveys Americans to find out important facts about our sleep.
The 2011 poll found that sixty percent of Americans use electronic devices before going to bed. There are two ways that electronic device impact our sleep. One is behavioral and the other is physiological.
You can probably figure out the behavioral impact technology has on shortening our sleep time.
We stay up watching TV or using the computer for work, play or listening to music instead of getting into bed and going to sleep. People leave their phones on and are awakened from sleep by phone calls and text messages, which reduces the quality of sleep as well as the length of sleep each night.
The physiological reason that electronic devices can be detrimental is because they stop the natural process of sleep. The light from electronic devices actually stimulates your brain and makes it harder to relax, not easier.
The light stimulates the cones and rods to suppress a hormone called melatonin. Melatonin is necessary to tell you brain to go to sleep and promote restful deep sleep.
Why do we care about getting enough sleep? Simple sleep is the time when our body repairs and restores itself from daily activities or chronic problems.
When we are deprived of sleep over a period of several days to several weeks it can impact our well-being to varying degrees.
Examples of some symptoms of impaired sleep are irritability, tiredness, inability to tolerate stress, frequent infections, behavioral learning or social problems, increased blood pressure, inability to lose weight or alterations of appetite, decreased productivity, breathing disorders, etc..
So how do you address the sleep disturbances that occur because of technology? The answer is simple. Turn off the electronical devices one hour before you go to sleep and leave them off all night long.
You might have a withdrawl process for the first couple of days but when you start waking up refreshed and energetic for the new day it will all be worth it!
Live Vibrantly and Sleep well,
Dr. Dae
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Dr. Dae is a Naturopathic Physician who practices in the Washington DC metro area treats the whole person using safe and effective combinations of traditional and natural methods to produce optimal health and well-being in the lives of her patients.
Sources:
"Insomnia - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2012. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/insomnia/DS00187
"Poll Topic for 2011 Sleep in America Poll | National Sleep Foundation - Information on Sleep Health and Safety." National Sleep Foundation - Information on Sleep Health and Safety | Information on Sleep Health and Safety. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2012.
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/press-release/poll-topic-2011-sleep-america-poll
"Sleep and Technology Don't Mix: Sleep Poll." WebMD - Better information. Better health.. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2012.
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20110306/sleep-and-technology-dont-mix-sleep-poll
Reviewed May 10, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith