Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Putting bad health and bad grades to bed.

Studies show that today children are getting less sleep than they used to over the past century and evidence shows that this lack of sleep is causing problems in brain development, learning disabilities, and ADHD.

In this day and age we have so many distractions that inhibit our everyday activities such as spending time with the one’s children, school work, driving skills, and work as well. “It’s not about being crabby or ‘zoned out’ the next day…” says Tom Ashbrook (Ashbrook, 2007), and goes on to discuss other issues lack of sleep may cause.

Just think about it, when you get home what is the last thing you do before you go to bed? For most it is starting at the computer screen, watching an episode of your favorite TV show, or playing one more round on that X-Box game. These things did not exist thirty years ago and henceforth we had no problems, but now with all the existing technological recreations we easily overlook the importance of a good night’s sleep.

I for one can vouch for this. In fact, this topic was discussed on NPR and I called in. Furthermore, my call was taken and I was interviewed by Tom Ashbrook himself. In my short segment, I discussed the issue that the reasoning behind me staying up late plays a part in the fact that I’m simply not tired. I have these computer games that negate my tiredness and I find myself waking up after sometimes only as little as four hours of sleep. “Addicted to staying up late”, seems to be my issue as it is with many others (Martin, 2007). The solution to this is play the games, watch the TV, or use FaceBook earlier in the day then when it’s a little before bedtime do something relaxing that may inhibit you to get some rest. So, shutoff the TV, shutdown the computer, and turn off the X-Box and grab a book instead when you’re getting ready for bed.

You can find me 12 minutes into the interview with Tom Ashbrook:

mms://realserver.bu.edu:554/w/b/wbur/onpoint/2007/10/op_1015b.wma

2 comments:

suetonius said...

Wow, that NPR interview with WG was so great. Now I'm afraid everyone is getting stupider the longer they stay up. Interesting that you are in education, WG, and yet end up staying up too late anyway...I wish I had a 36 hour day, too. By the way, was that the sound of Route 2 in the background?

Anonymous said...

You write very well.