I was recently listening to a podcast, and it really got me thinking about the effects of sleep deprivation on our mental health. We all know that our mental health takes a hit when we’re not sleeping well; this is definitely an issue for me. I have never been the best sleeper. On the days that I haven’t slept, my mental clarity is weak, I have a hard time making decisions, my body aches, I don’t remember things, and I feel cloudy and depressed.
Social media can contribute to anxiety, depression, and sleepless nights. It constantly feeds us information that may or may not make us feel good. It isn’t easy to put our devices down. There have been studies that show, in some cases, that anxiety and depression increase when we’re off social media. This all depends on how you use social media – active vs passive.
Our teens are constantly on their phones. They sleep with them under their pillows, wait for texts, frequently respond to texts, and compare themselves to others. When they sleep with their phones, it definitely affects their sleep patterns. As a result, can negatively impact their mental health.
The best thing we can do for our kids is to not let them sleep with their phones. I think it's extremely healthy for them to be off social media for at least an hour before they go to bed. Teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Just a little change like this can increase their well-being.
For younger children, it’s important to establish good sleep patterns early on. My children always had a bedtime routine. They went to bed at the same time every night, no matter what was going on. Our schedule revolved around their morning and afternoon naps. Going to the park, shopping, and outings were always scheduled around the naps. I felt it was so important that they had a proper sleep each day. It’s crucial for their development and growth, not to mention their moods!
More than two-thirds of college students have anxiety and depression, and the rates are going up. This was from a study done in 2009, before the pandemic hit. I can only imagine what those numbers are now! The answer has not yet been determined as to what is causing this increase. My feeling is that their perception of what brings happiness is backwards.
Our conception of what makes us happy may be wrong. We all seem to be on the achievement wheel with better grades, more money, a new car, and a bigger house. This applies to our college students as well.
I think to help our college students in this ever-rising epidemic, it’s essential to teach kids early on the benefits of proper sleep and how to change their mindset on what brings us happiness! Happiness comes from social interaction and social connection - not through platforms but from real life. Talking to a stranger on the bus and practicing gratitude are the real things that will provide us more happiness.
Don’t get me wrong, we’re all human, and we can’t be happy all the time; it’s impossible. Our job as humans is to experience life as it comes. This will include a whole gamut of feelings and emotions. To live is to feel!
At the end of the day, sleep is essential for all of us, specifically the young generation. They’re developing in every aspect - cognitively, emotionally, and physically. Their bodies can’t develop properly without proper sleep.
I think this is a baby step that parents and caregivers can implement into the lives of our young ones that could have a huge impact on their well-being! Possibly taking away their phones at bedtime will initiate better sleep patterns. It’s worth a try! What could go wrong?
Until next time…take the phones away at bedtime!!