Are American’s Sleeping Enough?

September 13, 2019

6,531 2 minutes read

A A A
For better shuteye, shut off electronics

Waking up energetic and ready to take on the day is uncommon for most people, especially adults in the United States. It is no secret that sleep is key to a healthy lifestyle, but still the average person does not make it a priority. The list of reasons, or excuses, as to why people cannot reach the recommended seven hours of rest goes on and on. Winding down and spending time in bed is a critical part of each day because it gives the body time to rejuvenate and improves overall health. A world of suggestions on how to get better shuteye exists but the simplest way to make an immediate difference might simply be turning off gadgets.

Televisions, computers, phones and tablets are scattered around a typical American household. From morning until night, these devices provide endless content and entertainment. Emitting blue light into the eyes of those watching, the brain is tricked into believing that the sun is shining and that the day has not ended.

Why does this happen? Before the introduction of smartphones and constant computer use, the human body depended on its circadian rhythm to wake up and go to bed. This internal clock helped humans feel tired at dusk and prompted them to wake up at dawn. The body had enough time to recuperate and people arose energetic and ready for the new day. In the age of electronics, the body’s circadian rhythm cannot function properly because the blue lights hijack its ability to regulate sunlight. This means, that people spending time in front of blue light are constantly waking themselves up. Often, individuals check social media updates, emails and text messages while lying in bed waiting to drift off. In reality, this is a poor choice for a bedtime routine. Staring into a blue screen disrupts the sleep cycle and contributes to the millions of Americans suffering from insomnia.

Switching off and tuning out technology is easier said than done. Sometimes, taking a small step can be the most effective way to start. The first way to improve a night’s rest is to decide that it is a priority. When its importance is underplayed or viewed as lesser to competing objectives, it will lose and tiredness will win. After recognizing the value, a helpful action to take is to turn off televisions, phones, computers, and tablets an hour before bedtime. If an hour is seems overwhelming and unreasonable, thirty minutes is an impactful place to begin.

Reading a paper book, having a cup of herbal tea or taking a bath can fill the time once spent on gadgets. These activities will allow time away from blue lights and help signal to the body that the sun has gone down and that it is time to rest. This allows natural chemicals to be produced that help people feel tired and ready to call it a day. Crawling into bed with heavy eyes can be a daily occurrence if health is prioritized and restful bedtime habits are formed.