Modern technology to blame for sleep deprivation

Many Britons are failing to get enough sleep and one of the main factors is our reliance on modern technology, experts have claimed.

According to the Sleep Council, the internet provides a constant source of disturbance in people's homes and many see themselves as being available for work-related issues during their evenings and weekends.

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Spokeswoman Jessica Alexander commented: 'The advent of things like email, BlackBerrys and mobile telephones means people's availability to work is extended to their homes, rather than people spending longer in the office.'

A recent survey by the Sleep Council found that one in three people makes phone calls and deals with emails in bed.

Ms Alexander said: 'Our survey is just one in a long line of signs, from ourselves and other sources, pointing to the fact that we are losing touch with balanced lives and that sleep is getting squeezed from both ends.'

The expert also revealed that lying in at the weekends is not enough to undo the damage done by depriving yourself of sleep during the week.

'Up to a point it compensates but it perpetuates a stop-go routine of different sleeping hours which will not actually make you feel refreshed,' she explained.

'Obviously if you have been sleep deprived there is a certain amount of catch up that goes on, but you are repeating a vicious circle all the time and are not really making any significant lifestyle changes that will make you feel more energetic.'

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