Teens becoming sleep-deprived zombies, BSC warns

Zombieitis campaign recommends more time in sack

Retail Editor 2 -- Furniture Today, August 10, 2011

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Better Sleep Council cautions that teenagers around the world are exhibiting symptoms of Zombieitis, otherwise known as sleep deprivation.

The only hope for a cure to Zombieitis for these unsuspecting teens is nine to ten hours of quality sleep, the BSC says. And a new mattress can help those teens reach their sleep goals, the group says.

August marks the beginning of the BSC's new program targeting one of the highest risk groups during this time of year - students.

The BSC's Stop Back to School Zombieitis campaign was developed to warn parents and teens about the dangers of Zombieitis, inform them of the cure and to help stop the spread of this affliction. Zombieitis can cause sufferers to exhibit zombie-like symptoms including irritability, depression, anxiety, apathy, decreased brain function and a distracted disposition, the BSC says.

Heading back to school is an exciting time for students, but it also means an adjustment from their summer lifestyles, especially their sleep schedule. Teenagers are known for late nights and sleeping in late during the summer months, so starting school is often a difficult change, according to the BSC.

"Lack of sleep has been associated with a decrease in mental aptitude in multiple studies and is one of the most basic needs for memory function," said Karin Mahoney, the BSC's director of communications. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends teens get nine to ten hours of sleep a night to perform their best, and a good mattress is a vital element in reaching that goal, the BSC says.

More information on the Stop Zombieitis campaign can be found on the Better Sleep Council's website, www.bettersleep.org. News on the campaign is also available on a microsite at www.StopZombieitis.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/StopZombieitis, on Twitter at twitter.com/StopZombieitis and on Youtube at youtube.com/user/StopZombieitis.