EKU Professor says it is important to keep a 24 hour sleep cycle in timely shape

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention behavioral risk factor surveillance program shows almost 40% of Kentuckians aren’t getting enough sleep. An Eastern Kentucky University professor says a key part of the problem lies within the body’s internal clock.

EKU Exercise and Sports Science Professor Chris Perry said sleep deprivation can impact glucose and cardiovascular health. It also affects cognitive function, including slowing reaction time. Perry said a chronic lack of sleep can be connected to a mental health disease.

“If someone is sleep deprived more than likely there are gonna be mental health-related issues as well and it’s simply because you’re more irritable, less ability I should be able to think things through logically. Higher levels of stress,” said Perry.

Perry noted a sound circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle, is important. He added the number one suggestion is getting on the same to bed and wake-up schedule, seven days a week. Also dimming lights past sunset and no electronics one hour before bed. And staying up much later on the weekends causes problems on Monday.

“Monday feels terrible because you’re trying to wake up again at six a.m., but your body is three hours behind because you changed your wake time and induced artificial jet lag to yourself that pushed your circadian clock forward,” said Perry.

Perry said it takes another 24 to 25 hours to shift the body in the proper direction by only an hour. In addition to dimming lights around the home after sunset, Perry said chilling out is important. The EKU professor says too many people are, figuratively, running into bed by staying active right up until bedtime.

Here's the entire interview with Chris Perry:

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