A common concern among the younger generation now is that they're frequently tired. Millennials these days complain about being worn out most of the time, even at the start of the day.
They are at the prime of their youth but how come they always feel exhausted? What's tiring out these young people? Sleep deprivation is one of the reasons why this is happening. Everyone needs sleep to function and they're not having much of it.
Why is this becoming a widespread issue among this generation? How come they are not meeting their sleep requirements?
Stress - From the American Psychological Association, out of the many generations - millennials are the most stressed. Stress is a huge contributor to sleep deprivation.
What's stressing these millennials anyway? They are born in a time where a culture of perfectionism is pervasive. There is the pressure to be the best in anything that they pursue - education, passion, and so on.
To live to that unrealistic expectation is stressful. They forego sleep just to achieve these impossible goals. They also lose sleep when they "fail". They even argue that they do not have time for sleep anymore. They'd rather work on their goals than to sleep.
It's understandable that they are busy and occupied most of the time but getting quality sleep should also be a priority. They underestimate the importance of getting a good night's rest.
Aside from having no time for sleep, most likely they don't even own a decent bed. Some of them think that they do not have time to buy one, more so to transport the bulky purchase home.
It's so easy to get one these days, they can buy online and even get a mattress in a box to avoid the bulky delivery. They just need to go through the website for more information on returns and warranties though just in case they aredissatisfied with the product.
At the end of the day, they need to prioritize sleep. They need to understand that they have to make time for it. They can start by getting a decent bed to sleep on and to scale down their expectations into realistic terms.
Technology Addiction - Technology plays an enormous role in this generation. Rarely you would see a millennial that isn't tech-savvy. Because they grew up with the advent of technology, millennials have the tendency to depend on it a lot. Hence, the addiction.
It's so easy to get sucked into the world of technology. You can do your work, buy groceries, connect with people, among others with just a few taps on your screen. That 5-minute break to check the phone can easily turn into an hour.
There are so many things one can do with their electronic gadget and it's really addicting. Some millennials even have the habit of reaching out for their phones even if it's time for bed already. Again, the scrolling on the screen doesn't stop at the 5-minute mark - it can go on for hours. Before they know it, it's way past bedtime already.
Also, the blue light that the screens of electronic devices emit suppresses the release of melatonin in the body. This is the hormone that regulates sleep patterns. People who have a lower level of melatonin find it harder to sleep.
In short, too much screen time takes away that much-needed sleep. Technology isn't actually the enemy here. They are undeniably useful for our day to day activities. The important thing to take note of is - to limit its usage. Lessen gadget use most especially hours leading to bedtime.
Today, millennials may just be lethargic because they are not getting enough sleep. In the long run, continuous sleep-deprivation will just cause more problems. Lack of sleep increases the risk of getting cardiovascular diseases, anxiety, and depression. So for this generation, it's imperative to review their priorities. Getting quality sleep should be on top of their list. Remember, sleep is good for everyone's well-being.
