Bad sleep health How digitization disturbs sleep

Electronic devices in the bedroom: digitization disturbs restful sleep

Lack of sleep endangers the health. Those who do not get enough rest at night have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, among other things, according to studies. As a recent survey shows, electronic devices such as smartphones contribute significantly to the fact that many people do not find a good night's sleep.

Negative effects of digitization

Years ago, a study showed that increasing digitization is putting a strain on family life and health. Other studies also confirmed the negative impact of digitization on health. Relaxing sleep is also disturbed. As a recent survey shows, electronic devices such as smartphones or tablets in the bedroom ensure that millions of citizens do not come to rest at night.

Electronic devices such as smartphones regularly rob millions of Germans of their sleep. This shows a recent survey on sleep health. (Image: Ana Blazic Pavlovic / fotolia.com)

Smartphones and co rob millions of citizens of sleep

On the occasion of the Day of Sleep (June 21), Barmer Krankenkasse conducted a survey by the opinion research institute Ipsos Observer, which shows that smartphones or tablets in the bedroom regularly rob millions of people in Germany.

As the health insurance company reported in a communication, 33 percent of those who have electronic devices permanently in the bedroom, often or always stay longer than intended.

Of those who do without electronics in the bedroom, this is only 15 percent. 36 percent of the population also complain about falling asleep.

Good sleep is a prerequisite for physical and mental health

"Digitization offers enormous opportunities and potential in everyday life. However, our survey on sleep health in Germany also shows that it makes sense not to be permanently online ", says Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Straub, CEO of Barmer.

This alone is important, because sufficient good sleep is a prerequisite for physical and mental health. However, 38 percent of respondents sleep only six hours or less in a typical workweek.

The survey, which surveyed 4,000 people nationwide online, also shows that 18 percent are completely satisfied with their sleep.

The first look is for the mobile phone

According to the results, electronic means of communication accompany the Germans from the first minute of the day. Thus, 30 percent of the respondents are still active in bed medially, 28 percent do so at breakfast, another 19 percent just before leaving the apartment.

At 65 percent, the smartphone is used most frequently as a medium before getting up. Radio and TV come to only ten and nine percent, respectively.

On the other hand, just before sleep, the television is still in front of the smartphone, with 36 percent of its users using only 29 percent of Germans in bed.

"These usage habits of electronic media in the bedroom are not surprising considering that nearly 40 percent of the respondents have smart phones and TVs frequently or permanently," says Straub.

"Even with PC and laptop, this is still 21 percent." Tablets and e-book readers played a comparatively minor role, however.

After all, 39 percent of respondents said that they at least tend to consciously do without electronic devices in the bedroom.

Stress and private worries also disturb healthy sleep

The survey also reveals that apart from digitization, private worries and stress are also obstacles to a healthy sleep. 39 percent of respondents stated this as the cause of their sleep disorder.

Health problems are the second most important disruptive factor with 34 percent, followed by professional problems (33 percent).

Most people affected by sleep disorders (26 percent) suffer from trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Nearly half of them (45 percent) were with the doctor, and in six out of ten cases, the diagnosis confirmed a sleep disorder. (Ad)