Recently there have been numerous studies that indicate that sleep problems increase radically in those who spend excessive time on social media, especially at night. One study of 467 students at Glasgow University showed that social media use was related to poorer sleep quality, lower self-esteem, higher anxiety, and depression. Those of us practicing in the field of sleep medicine are aware of the domino effect of these problems from weight gain to higher blood pressure and susceptibility to many illnesses.
Another study at the University of Pittsburg Medical School found many who suffer from sleep disturbance used social media when they could not sleep, further compounding the problem. This study also found that those who use social media more only during the day had more sleep disturbance. In addition to being a poor way to spend sleepless times at night, the light emissions upset our normal circadian rhythms as well as prevent melatonin production. There was no mention of the excessive EMF exposure experienced in the study, but I find it to be another factor to consider.
We should all be aware of how important good sleep is to our total health and mental alertness, but are we all aware of what it takes to promote an optimal quality of sleep allowing our body and brain to have the opportunity to regenerate? One very important factor in getting quality sleep, besides limiting social media exposure, is a clear airway. Most qualified medical and dental sleep specialists are very knowledgeable in these areas and may refer their patients to have airway obstructions removed, such a tonsils, adenoids, and sinus polyps, etc. There are many beneficial effects realized from these corrections, not to mention the pleasure one receives from a clear airway.
When it comes to social media, it has been well established that there are some health problems that can arise from its abuse. I know this is problem well worth studying, but from another perspective, is it interfering with your happiness and ability to enjoy your family and friends? When I am in a coffee shop and see everyone studying their phones or laptops, I see people not getting to know one another and avoiding the opportunity to build relationships and friendships or just learning something about how interesting another person can be. On a personal note, I just returned from a fishing trip where there was no social media and I was able to form great new friendships with very interesting people.
At AODTC (the Advanced Oral Diagnosis and Treatment Center) we treat pain without drugs and sleep apnea without air pressure. Getting to know our patients, more than just in and out, makes the experience far more positive and rewarding.
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