Waking up in the Dark Disrupts Biological Clock, Leads to Attention Difficulties

Üsküdar University NP Etiler Medical Center Psychiatrist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Melek Gözde Luş evaluated the effects of advanced daylight saving time on school-age children.

Stating that the days are getting shorter with the spread of daylight saving time throughout the year, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Melek Gözde Luş, “Parents also have safety concerns about their children's journey in the dark, they don't want to, and the children are afraid when they go to school.” said.

Stating that the lightening of the air hours after waking up has negative effects on children, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Melek Gözde Luş said, “Unfortunately, a child who has to attend school at around 08.30 in the morning is adversely affected by the fact that it is still dark at that time of the day. The child who sees that it is still dark when he wakes up in the morning may have difficulty in making sense of it. Even if the child has taken a nap, he perceives it as the time to go to school when the weather is bright, and the night as the time to return home and prepare for sleep. Therefore, it becomes very difficult for him to focus and concentrate on his lessons at school.” warned.

Mentioning the importance of daylight on the development of children, Psychiatry Specialist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Melek Gözde Luş said that waking up in the dark disrupts the biological process.

"The disruption of the cycle in our biological structure, which occurs naturally with daylight, and which we call the circadian rhythm, causes negative effects," said Dr. Melek Gözde Luş said:

“When it is evening, our body gradually begins to secrete the 'melatonin' hormone, which facilitates sleep, provides rest and is responsible for growth. With the daylight, it gradually begins to secrete 'cortisone', which is responsible for vitality and energy instead. A structure called the 'suprachiasmatic nucleus' located at the back of the brain at eye level, which regulates our biological clock, maintains this order. If it receives a light stimulus, this nucleus prevents the pineal gland from making the hormone melatonin. This process is disrupted when children wake up in the dark.”

Stating that the studies carried out in recent years emphasize the importance of how we fall asleep and how we wake up, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Melek Gözde Luş says, “Children with impaired sleep quality have difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, learning, attention and concentration, and this situation also causes complaints such as fears, anxiety disorders, and reluctance to go to school, since children are uneasy in the dark.” he said.

Listing his recommendations for children to get sleep, Psychiatry Specialist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Melek Gözde Luş said, “It is important to take care to sleep at the same time every night and to try not to disturb the sleep pattern. It is also important to remember that children should not consume caffeinated beverages in the evening. It is very important to reassure children, especially at a young age, that safety measures are taken, and to approach children with increased anxiety with understanding.” said.