Have you ever wondered? How is sleep deprivation seriously harming the health and well-being of the present generation? And why is it happening?
Sleep deprivation’s main cause is technology and practicing the term night owl. There are some other reasons also, and it has some solutions too. Let’s dive into the topic without any further delay.
Sleep deprivation has become a common word these days; we Gen Z are the main victims of this epidemic. In order to become a night owl, we are continuously hampering our health, well-being, and productivity.
Sleep deprivation means the state of not getting enough sleep because of insufficient sleep duration or poor sleep quality. Many things can cause it, including staying up too late for completing work, using technology, depression, caffeine, stress, illnesses, or sleep disturbance because of noise.
In research, Dr. Matthew Walker shows the critical importance of sleep for health. In his research, he said, “Sleep is not a luxury, it’s a necessity”. The previous generations, such as Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers, didn’t face the sleep deprivation problem as Gen Z. Maybe that’s because of their lifestyle and behavior changes.
These days Gen Z is more likely to adopt the night owl habit. They wake up late night to complete their work and prefer to sleep in the morning. There are some other reasons for sleep deprivation among Gen Z, such as technology, cultural norms, more academic and social pressures, less awareness of mental health, longer work hours, caffeine, urbanization, and noise.
Our mental and physical health both are impacted by sleep deprivation. The effects of sleep deprivation are, memory loss,long term illness. Hinder of brain function such as poor concentration & decision-making are also caused by sleep deprivation.
When it comes to physical problems, sleep deprivation weakens the immune system, increases the rate of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and hampers hormonal balance. If sleep deprivation happens for a long time it reduces physical performance, increases the chance of accidents while driving, and can even shorten lifespan.
The future of Gen Z is at stake because of sleep deprivation. Certainly it is affecting their mental and physical health also academic performance and career. They are also suffering from problems like difficulty in focus, memory loss and difficulty in learning which can end up in lower academic achievement. Also one’s creativity, productivity and career growth is hampered by this epidemic.
It hampers relationships and social interactions. So we can say, this crisis threatens Gen Z’s overall well-being, happiness, and potential for success in future.
Sleep is certainly crucial for reducing these risks and ensuring a healthier and more productive future for this generation.
So definitely here the question comes: How can we get rid of this epidemic?
To overcome this problem, one needs to adopt healthier sleep habits and make some changes in lifestyles. Here are some tips:
- Set a consistent sleep schedule, limit screen time before bed,reduce the brightness of your phone screen and don’t forget to create a relaxing bedtime routine.
- Avoid caffeine in the evening, it is also important for a better sleep at night.
- Exercise regularly and maintain a balanced diet.
- Choose a room where noise is less and choose a comfy bed and room with low lights.
- Complete all work early and follow a bedtime routine regularly
- If anxiety or depression comes in your way of sleep, seek help from a counselor,therapist or sleep specialist.
So lastly we can say sleep deprivation has become a challenge of Gen Z. It can be said that it is the main reason for hampering their physical health, mental well being and their future. If one adopts healthy sleep habits, manages stress and creates a perfect environment for rest he or she can reduce the negative impacts of poor sleep.
Prioritizing sleep is nor just about rest,it is essential for unlocking one’s potential and making a healthier, more productive future.
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Writer,
Sumaiya Nusrat
Intern, Content Writing department
YSSE.