Watching a lot of TV causes a feeling of lack of sleep

Those who spend too much time in front of a computer or TV screen before bedtime will always feel they are sleep deprived, despite the fact that they do not sleep less than others.

"More and more people are using electronic media like the Internet, remember that using it too long before going to bed will make me feel like I always sleep," said lead researcher Nakamori Suganuma at Osaka University, Japan, said.

He and his colleagues gathered information from more than 5,800 Japanese people about the use of electronic devices before bedtime and the feeling of sleep. Nearly half of the participants tied a lack of sleep to watching the Internet or TV before going to bed. Those who use longer also feel they sleep less.

Overall, 29% of light users (less than 1.5 hours) consider electronic devices the cause of sleep deprivation. Meanwhile, up to 40% of average users (1.5-3 hours) and 54% of heavy users (more than 3 hours) share the same opinion.

However, watching TV and the Internet long before going to bed is not directly related to less sleep. Heavy addicts only sleep about 12 minutes less than those who watch less. The Internet affects the perception of lack of sleep more than TV, not only in young people but also in the elderly.

MT