Does your teen have an electronic bedroom?

Sleep is one of the most important parts of our day.  It helps our minds and bodies restore and recoup.  Inadequate sleep can cause medical issues and contribute to obesity, depression, lack of mental awareness and other psychological effects.  For kids and teens sleep is even more important, as their minds and bodies are growing and developing.

Impact of Screens on Sleep

Many teens live in an electronic bedroom, which can cause their sleep to suffer.  The National Sleep Foundation reported in 2015 that in the U.S. 73% of all children and 90% of teens have at least one electronic device in their sleep environment.

Video games and televisions/computers in the bedroom allows kids more access to screen time, sometimes creating bad habits, like falling asleep with the TV on or late night gaming sessions.  Cell phones are equally as disruptive, with some teens staying up all night texting or on social media.

Even if your child is not using their phone during sleep hours, the lights or sounds it gives up can disrupt their sleep patterns.  When your child’s and circadian rhythm, their internal clock, is affected it can throw off a number of other body functions, including body temperature and hormone release.

Focusing at school is more difficult for teens that aren’t getting enough rest, and some can even have severe mood swings or behavioral issues. The American Sleep Association is currently researching the link between ADHD and sleep disorders.

Here are some tips to help your teen limit their screen time and have a more restful night:

• Make the bedroom’s focus on sleep.  Remove computers, televisions or any other distractions.
• Unplug at least 30 minutes before bedtime
• Establish a regular bedtime routine to help your body calm down, like an evening bath, calm music, reading a book etc.
• Limit exposure to light in your room, make sure you can fully draw the curtains and turn your cell phone off or leave it outside the room while sleeping
• Avoid stimulants like caffeine or sugar a couple hours before bedtime
• Have a regular alarm clock; don’t use your cell phone as then you will have to keep it on and nearly all night.
• Set a quiet hour for the whole home, especially if you have children that go to bed at different times so that no one is disrupted and can fall asleep easily.

If you have any questions, give us a call at 800-365-0556.