Not getting enough sleep? Did you know that using technology could be negatively affecting your ability to get a good night’s sleep?
The How Technology Affects Sleep infographic takes a look at how different technology devices may be affecting your sleep patterns as you settle in for a good night’s sleep. You’ll also discover tips for how to get a better night’s sleep.
Do you think technology is affecting your sleep?
- 60 percent of 13-64 year olds experience problems sleeping.
- 63 percent of those surveyed didn’t feel they get enough sleep.
- 15 percent of 19-64 year olds get less than six hours of sleep on weeknights.
- 95 percent use electronics in the hour before they went to sleep.
- Lack of sleep is associated with ongoing depression, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
- Light emitted from displays of tablets and similar devices can suppress melatonin, which affects our natural body clock.
- Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland at night, under the conditions of darkness. It signals nighttime information throughout the body.
- Short-wavelength light can slow or even decrease melatonin production, interrupting sleep.
- Using a self-luminous display for two hours before bed can suppress melatonin by 22 percent.
- 95 percent of 18-29 year olds sleep with phone next to their bed.
- 25 percent of people don’t silence their phone before going to bed.
- 10 percent of people are woken up regularly by calls, text or emails.
- 50 percent of people will look at their phone immediately if they wake up during the night.
- Television and playing video games also affect your ability to get to sleep, raising your heart rate.
Letket Tips to improve your ability to get a good night’s sleep:
- Read a book with an indirect lamp to help you relax and get a good night’s sleep.
- Keep a journal by your bed to get your thoughts out of your head.
- Listen to gentle or relaxing music to help you drift off and get a sound sleep.
- eBook readers such as Amazon’s Kindle don’t have a luminous display and will help.