Wellbeing
The science of smartphones and sleep
Parents nagging you about using iThings at night? Unfortunately, it turns out they’re right.
Our sleep-wake cycle is governed by the pineal gland, a pea-sized squishy thing in the brain. The pineal gland secretes melatonin, the hormone that regulates when our body wakes and prepares for sleep, and it’s dependent on light to work out when to give us a dose. As it gets darker, melatonin gets released in the body to prepare us for rest.
Short wavelength blue light is the most disruptive kind of light to the body clock, and that’s exactly what backlit smartphone screens shine into your face. Daylight is rich in blue light and is ideal for supporting daytime alertness. When you’re exposed to blue light at night, it increases alertness and cognitive function, which makes sleep more difficult, and results in daytime fatigue and poor productivity.
Recent research indicates that just an hour of blue light emitted from a device reduces melatonin production by 23%. The effect is worse for adolescents as their natural melatonin cycles start later in the night and finish later in the morning. In other words, it’s already difficult for teenagers to get to sleep in the evenings and to wake up on time for school, an hour of screen time at night simply exacerbates the issue.
So be kind to your pineal gland. Try not to use devices an hour before going to sleep and you’ll see an improvement in your quality of sleep.
Kathy Li
Psychologist
MYFS National Youth Week Photo Comp - Friday 15 April
Are you interested in photography? For National Youth Week 2016, Monash Youth & Family Services (MYFS) & Freeza are hosting a photography competition for young people aged 12- 25 years. There are great prizes, a massive exhibition night and entry is free. The National Youth Week event will be held on Friday 15 April, 2016. Visit myfs.org.au for more info or call them on 9518 3900.
New service available at Link Health and Community
Link Health and Community now has doctors available for extended hours, six days a week including Saturday mornings, to help countless families who may find it difficult to fit GP appointments in around their busy family and work lives. New patients are welcome with bulk billing available to young people up to 18 years, or people who have a student card, health care or pension cards.
Link Health and Community is a not-for-profit health service provider, which offers an extensive range of medical, health and support services aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of all residents living in and around the Monash area. Our services include dental, doctors, allied health and counselling and our programs are developed in partnership with the local community to meet their health needs.
Pride and Diversity
City of Monash Youth and Family Services’ new Pride and Diversity program is a free and confidential program aimed at young people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, gender diverse or questioning who live, play, work or study in the city of Monash.
It’s a free weekly program for young people aged 14 to 18 years old across the City of Monash with fun activities, games and guest speakers.
Interested young people can call/text Reece on 0417 023 739/9518 3900, or email reeceg@monash.vic.gov.au
Parenting Adolescents
Parenting Adolescents is a 6-week program for parents of young people aged 10 -15 years of age. The program will cover a number of topics including:
· Understanding adolescent development;
· Setting boundaries & limits;
· Consequences;
· Strategies to deal with adolescent behaviours;
· Respectful communication;
· Problem solving;
· Anger;
· Self care.
In addition to these topic areas, the program will give parents the opportunity to share their experiences and learn from each other.
When:
Starts 28th April and finishes 2nd June
Time:
Thursdays 10am - 12.30pm
Where:
Monash Training & Seminar Centre
1A Atherton Road
Oakleigh
There is no fee but bookings are essential as places are limited. To book, call Libby or Emily at MYFS on 9518 3900.