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Distance learning period in the pandemic increased sleep quality among young people

In this Thursday’s edition (13) of the Medical Correspondent, of Novo Dia, neurosurgeon Fernando Gomes talked about a research carried out by members of the University of Zurich, Switzerland, which evaluated the sleep of more than 3,600 students with average age of 16 years.

According to the results, sleeping 75 minutes more daily during the distance learning period – which lasted from March to June 2020 in Switzerland – increased the health conditions of students. The additional time in bed is associated with a reduction in caffeine and alcohol consumption, as well as a greater ability to learn.

The sleep deficit, according to the university, can cause exhaustion, anxiety and eating disorders, affecting young people’s concentration, memory and attention. One of the study’s leaders, Professor Oskar Jenni, said the findings could have been even better had the pandemic not had so many negative effects on mental health.

For Fernando Gomes, the importance of the period of sleep and rest is regularly neglected for the health of the human body, despite being as relevant as the practice of physical activities and a balanced diet.

Analyzing the research data, Gomes explained that caffeine consumption is related to the lack of rest at night, while alcohol is linked to a need for relaxation on the part of young people. “From a practical point of view, we know that it is during the REM phase [rapid-eye movement, quando o cérebro está ativo] sleep that the day’s experiences are organized in the hippocampus, which confers a better memory.”

The neurosurgeon pointed out that the time needed for sleep varies from one person to another, but that, in general, the average is between six to eight hours. “We need to remember that it’s not just quantity, it’s quality. As sleep happens in cycles, if we offer the possibility to sleep an extra cycle, we will offer a better quality”, he said.

Gomes also defended that schools and universities postpone classes during the morning, increasing rest time for students. Although young people can continue at the current time and sleep earlier, the doctor believes that, in practice, the process is not so simple.

“Traditionally, if I can set my alarm clock to go off, I can organize when I wake up. But falling asleep is not always so easy. It’s a paradigm shift.”

Fernando Gomes recalled the importance of reducing electronic devices at least one hour before bed. The light emitted by tablets and smartphones can be harmful to health and disrupt the body’s metabolism, altering the functioning of hormones.

“Principally [para a qualidade do sono], prioritize a dark environment. Often, even those small LED lights make the bedroom a more conducive environment for you to have a more physiological relaxation process,” he concluded.

Reference: CNN Brasil

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