In recent years, the rise of technology has caused significant changes to society as a whole, one of these changes is an increased occurrence of health conditions, specifically insomnia. Insomnia is a medical condition that affects millions of people around the world, it is characterized by an inability to fall asleep or remain asleep. Although it might seem like a minor inconvenience, insomnia can greatly affect a person's overall health and quality of life.
Sleep is crucial for physical and mental development, so persistent insomnia can lead to various complications such as a weakened immune system and other chronic conditions. When a person sleeps, they give their body and mind the rest they need to repair any damage during the day and grow, but when you limit the amount of sleep you get, your body no longer gets the time it needs to develop. This leads to hormonal imbalances in the body causing issues with the immune system and it can even lead to the development of other conditions like hypertension due to excess amounts of stress hormones, and diabetes due to changes in metabolism. It can even heighten the body's sensitivity to infections and illness.
Additionally, insomnia can affect a person's mental health too. It can lead to issues such as depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders caused by an imbalance in hormone levels as well as exhaustion. Beyond this, insomnia can also lead to degenerative diseases and cognitive impairments.
These conditions have become more prevalent in recent years due to the increased incidence of insomnia caused by excessive technology usage. When a person is chronically on their phone throughout the day, they are exposed to substantial amounts of blue light. This causes suppressed melatonin production in the body leading to an inability to sleep or remain asleep. A consistent cycle of overuse of technology and heavy exposure to blue light can cause insomnia leading to many other problems.
The use of technology also stimulates the brain, causing it to become active, this is why a person experiences a sensation of hyperactivity to the feeling of a “million thoughts a minute” when using their device. When someone uses their device right before bed, it prevents their brain from calming down and producing melatonin. In a world where late-night binge-watching and scrolling through social media is common, it's easy for excessive technology usage to cause insomnia. This constant disruption and increased activity of the brain causes poor sleeping habits and causes a “broken” sleep.
In our technology-driven world, late-night screen use—whether binge-watching or scrolling through social media—has become common, further exacerbating insomnia. This disruption in sleep patterns often results in poor sleep quality and fragmented rest.
To combat the rise of insomnia associated with technology, it is essential to balance technology use with healthy sleep practices. Managing screen time, especially before bed, can help maintain good sleep hygiene and overall health.
References
Trevor. “Sleep and Technology: How It Affects Sleep Quality.” Better Sleep Council | Start Every Day with a Good Night’s Sleep, 21 June 2023, bettersleep.org/blog/sleep-and-technology-how-it-affects-sleep-quality/.
Written by Sai Koppada from MEDILOQUY