Generation Y is reportedly more sleepy than Generation X or Baby Boomers, partially due to their extensive use of technology, according to a report released by the National Sleep Foundation this week.
The annual report explored the connection between technology usage and sleep. It found pervasive use of communication technology the hour before bed and that a significant number of Americans say they are not getting enough sleep. Doctors believe that exposure to the light-emitting screens between dusk and the time you go to bed suppresses release of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin and enhances alertness making it more difficult to fall asleep.
Members of Generation Y report using a number of light-emitting screens in the hour before bed and nearly one in five rated as “sleepy” in a standard clinical assessment tool during the study. About one in ten Boomers and Xers rated the same.
Television has grown to be a near constant before bed, but laptops, cell phones and video games are rapidly gaining the same status. For Gen Y, new devices are already on pace with TV.
About two-thirds of Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are watching TV every night or nearly every night an hour before bed compared to about half of Gen Y.
About half of Generation Y, 47 percent, report surfing the Internet on their laptop or desktop computer every night or almost every night within an hour before going to sleep and about one-fourth, 28 percent, play video games.
The biggest generational difference was in cell phone usage prior to going to bed. Because the majority of Millennials sleep with their cell phones, it’s not surprising that they are texting or talking on their cell phones before bed more than Baby Boomers or Generation X. Nearly half of Gen Y, 42 percent, say they send, read or receive text messages every night or almost every night in the hour before bed, compared to just 15 percent of Gen X and 5 percent of Baby Boomers.
The communication doesn’t even stop when they finally drift to sleep. One in five Gen Yers report being woke up by a phone call, text message or email after they go to bed at least a few nights a week.
Lack of sleep can lead to a number of health and safety concerns, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Eighty-five percent of adults say inadequate sleep affects their mood, 72 percent say it affects their family life or home responsibilities and 68 percent say it affects their social life.
Half of Millennials also reported driving while drowsy at least once in the past month.
If you are having sleeping problems, the Sleep Foundation suggests the following to improve your sleep:
- Set and stick to a sleep schedule
- Expose yourself to bright light in the morning and avoid it at night
- Exercise regularly
- Establish a relaxing bedtime routine
- Create a cool, comfortable sleeping environment that is free of distractions
- Treat your bed as your sanctuary from the stresses of the day
- Avoid caffeinated beverages, chocolate and tobacco at night
- Avoid large meals and beverages right before bedtime
- No nightcaps
- Avoid medicines that delay or disrupt your sleep
- No late-afternoon or evening naps, unless you work nights
Comments