Lack of sleep is becoming a serious issue between genes, with many late scrolling, studies or gaming. In an interview with HT lifestyle, Dr. Megha Aggarwal, Advisor Psychiatrist, Kilsh Deepak Hospital, explains how these disrupted sleep patterns are taking a toll on their mental health, which has increased stress, anxiety and mood swing. (Also read: The doctor says that these 5 everyday habits can secretly harm your mental health: ‘It destroys the duration of your attention’ ,
Why is General Z struggling to get enough sleep
Sleep is one of the main pillars of health, yet generation Z, which is born between 1997 and 2012, faces unprecedented challenges in getting enough rest. While older generations can chalk it to poor habits, reality is far more complex. Constant digital exposure, high level anxiety, and increasing rate of depression are all contributing to a chronic sleep deficiency.
A study published in science found that many people in this corort are getting only 6 hours of sleep per night, well for teenagers and young adults below eight to ten hours. Lack of chronic sleep between genes not only affects mental health, but also affects cognitive abilities and overall well -being. To understand this issue, it is important to detect digital, social and biological factors that shape your life.
How are the technology and lifestyles affecting General Z’s sleep
General Z’s sleeping issues is a major contributor digital technology. Smartphones, tablets and laptops emit blue light, which disrupts melatonin and natural sleep cycle. Social media, streaming, and online gaming leads to “sleep laxity”, where teenagers relax for late night engagement. Research suggests that teenagers who stop using devices one hour before bed, get about two additional hours of sleep in a school week. Nevertheless, to strengthen drug addiction notifications and FOMO to strengthen anxiety, irritability and mood disturbances, it becomes difficult to disconnect it.
General Z withstands the level of unprecedented stress. Globally, 25% has reported a decline in mental health in the last three years, compared to 14% baby boomers, particularly affected with women. Financial pressure, educational stress, and social media comparisons raise cortisol, disrupt sleep. Puberty and natural hormonal shifts also delay the internal clock, making teenagers biologically predetermined to stay late. Combined with poor sleep hygiene, early wake-up and physical inactivity, these factors increase fatigue, cognitive issues and emotional instability.
What can be done to restore healthy sleep patterns?
Insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and other sleep disorder are rapidly diagnosed between General Z. Untreated untreated, they can spoil mental health, concentration and immunity. With interference such as Diagnostic Tools, CBT-I, Melatonin supplements and better sleep hygiene, help in restoring healthy patterns, with interference such as diagnostic tools, CBT-i, melatonin supplements.
Digital curfew, blue light filter, mindfulness, meditation, frequent wake-up time, proper nutrition and exposure to daylight can improve sleep quality.
Dr. Megha emphasizes a cultural innings where comfort is given importance, not optional. With awareness, practical strategies and social support, General Z can break the cycle of chronic sleep for mental, cognitive and emotional welfare and the cycle of harness restrictive sleep.
Note the readers: This article is only for informative purposes and is not an option for professional medical advice.
