Sleep Deprivation Linked To Electronic Devices

DETROIT (WWJ) - A new National Sleep Foundation study says Americans aren't getting enough sleep because they're not shutting off their phones, laptops and video games early enough.

Sleep expert Meeta Singh, with Henry Ford Hospital says the light from the devices interrupts your natural body clock and you need to turn them off.

"The light that comes from these devices, basically suppresses melatonin and shifts your body clock in the wrong direction," says Singh.

Singh says teens are particularly prone to sleep deprivation because they need at least nine hours of sleep and they're already hard-wired to be night owls.

"Maybe a half hour or 45 minutes before you go to bed. And sort of wind down before you actually go to bed. If you are reading an e-mail or returning text messages, it's very difficult to immediately put your head down and immediately go to sleep," says Singh.