We now spend more time on
our devices than we do sleeping. According to an August 2015 Ofcom survey, we
engage in media or communication activities such as texting or gaming, for 8
hours and 41 minutes daily, and sleep for 8 hours and 21 minutes.
Technology keeps us up for
two reasons. First, we are stimulated by the content. Second, the LED screen
emits blue light, which prevents the brain from producing the sleep hormone
melatonin. The blue light is in a bandwidth one sees in everyday sunlight,
explains health education expert Dr Aric Sigman. “The blue light from your phone or tablet informs your pineal gland that
its morning and it should shut down production of melatonin.”
In the journal Preventive
Medicine (2016) researchers found a strong association between social media use
and sleep disturbance, and warned of a link between sleep deprivation and
depression. Sleep deprivation has also been associated with obesity and poor
academic performance.
(Summarized from BBC Earth Magazine (Vol.9 Issue 1), page
32 by Jo Carlowe)
Verdict: Screen
use at bedtime will change your sleeping patterns
Lord, Give
Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)
No comments:
Post a Comment