If you’re having trouble falling asleep at night, blue light from various sources – including electronic devices -- might be a problem. Studies suggest even low levels of blue light can delay secretions in the body of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles. In this edition of Vital Signs, the scoop on blue light from sleep specialist Dr. John Herman, a professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
How much sleep do you need a day?
- Infants require about 16 hours a day.
- Teenagers should get 9 hours on average.
- Most adults need 7 to 8 hours a night for the best amount of sleep, although some may need as few as 5 hours or as many as 10 hours.
- Women in the first three months of pregnancy often need several more hours of sleep than usual.
And if you don't get enough sleep, here's what can happen:
- Memory problems
- Depression
- A weakening of your immune system, increasing your chance of becoming sick
- Increase in perception of pain
For more information:
Insomnia Slideshow: 20 Tips for Better Sleep
