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Do you recognize yourself in this? You scroll through the news on Facebook and stare at a friend’s post complaining that they can’t sleep. You notice they posted it in the middle of the night and think: „Maybe they were looking at their phone too much?“
And then you realize it’s already two o’clock in the morning and you’re lying in bed, reading Facebook on your phone and you don’t feel like sleeping at all.
Smartphones are enemies of sleep, even if many don’t want to admit this harsh truth. Many studies have proven the negative impact of such gadgets on our life … A recent 2-year study, which included 9,846 young people aged 16 to 19 in Norway, published its verified results in the medical journal BMJ Open.
Subjects were asked to record the length of their sleep and also the time spent on a smartphone during the day and especially to pay attention to the period before sleep. And the result? Scientists found that the longer a person uses electronic devices, the higher the risk of insomnia.
„Almost all adolescents confirmed that they used an electronic device in the last hour before sleep.“ Unfortunately, that’s the reality.
Many people think that a short game before bed will help them relax after a demanding workday. But unfortunately it’s the exact opposite!
And what other problems do these devices bring us?
Research shows that the blue light emitted from all LED screens affects the sleep hormone – melatonin.
This explains the popularity of apps like „Twilight“ for Android, which automatically reduces brightness at night. The „Twilight“ app has achieved more than 74,000 positive reviews in the Google Play Store.
But that’s just the beginning. Norwegian scientists suspect that electromagnetic radiation also prevents us from sleeping normally at night. And also, when you sit hunched over your smartphone, as is very common, you can bring on headaches and muscle pain.
„There is undoubtedly a link between sleep and the use of electronic devices,“ the scientists state. One of them then says: „Using various electronic devices can directly affect sleep by increasing physiological arousal.“
In other words, the effect on sleep is not only the fact that we use smartphones, but specifically that you are using them. All the important updates on social networks can have a negative impact on your brain. Even an innocuous game can raise your heart rate.
The good news is that you can change it. It’s all in your hands. Replace wasting time on your smartphone with a book! If you can’t choose between a Kindle or a simple book accessory for smartphones, definitely choose the Kindle.
Reading on a phone or on a screen is not the best idea, because the brain can associate these devices with much more demanding activity that won’t let you relax. But if you really prefer reading on a screen, choose a mobile device with a good display and turn on a mode that will reduce the brightness for you.
Fight the urge to check Facebook one more time before bed and see how much easier it will be for you to fall asleep. You’ll look healthier and more well-rested!
If your friends send another message on Facebook saying they can’t sleep, share this article with them. Maybe their life will change for the better just like yours!
