We have a problem.
The sleep hormone, melatonin, is produced by your brain when light dims. It sends a message to your brain that “It’s time to sleep soon.”
If you stay up late on the computer or go to bed early but get locked into social media for hours, then the light produced by these devices can suppress melatonin by up to 22%. Your sleep cycle gets disrupted.
A growing child needs their sleep. Even a teenager needs between 9 and 10 hours sleep. Why?
Here are a few reasons:
- Sleep helps memory, concentration and cognitive function.
- Lack of sleep can affect impact weight control.
- The brain uses sleep to “wash away” toxins that build up during the day.
What to do?
Have a media blackout time before bedtime. This can be anything from one to two hours depending which expert you listen to. However, everyone agrees that transition time is essential for encouraging healthy sleep.
Main points:
- Artificial light causes your body to produce much less sleep hormone.
- Lack of sleep affects concentration, memory and comprehension.
- Children are at a high risk of sleep disorders from electronic devices
Read a more complete article on the ABC website.