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Summary Dependence on televisions, mobile phones and laptops may be costing Americans dearly in lack of sleep. Teenagers average 7 hours and 26 minutes of sleep while medical experts recommend 9 hours and 15 minutes of sleep a day.
The national penchant for watching television every evening before going to sleep, playing video games late into the night or checking emails and text messages before turning off the lights could be interfering with the nations sleep habits.Nearly 95 percent of people questioned in a National Sleep Foundation (NSF) study said they used some type of electronics in the hour before going to bed, and about 66 percent admitted they do not get enough sleep during the week.People aged 46-64 years old were the biggest offenders of watching television every night before going to sleep, while more than 33 percent of 13-18 year olds and 28 percent of young adults 19-29 year olds played video games before bedtime.The vice chairman of NSF Russell Rosenberg said that the technological gadgets that make our lives productive and enjoyable, may be abused which contribute in getting less sleep at night.Dr Charles Czeisler of the Harvard Medical School said exposure to artificial light before going to bed can increase alertness and suppress the release of melatonin, a sleep promoting hormone.
