We spend all day feeding our brain information, so when it comes time to turn it off, we should do the same thing to our phones too. Numerous studies have found that using your phone before bed is harmful to your overall health, so let’s break it down and see why.

Blue light is harmful to your eyes.

The blue light emitted by your cell phone screen restrains the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycle (aka circadian rhythm). This makes it even more difficult to fall asleep and wake up the next day. The circadian rhythm seems to be especially sensitive to blue light since it has a short wavelength. Studies also show that exposure to blue light can cause damage to your retinas.

his is because the blue light interferes with the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. When you use your phone before bed, you may find it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Insomnia

Using your phone before bed can keep you mentally stimulated, making it harder to relax and wind down for the night. This can lead to difficulty falling asleep and may even contribute to insomnia.

Research has shown that using electronic devices before bed can have negative effects on mental health. For example, constantly checking social media or emails before bed can increase anxiety and stress.

Using your phone before bed can also lead to physical discomfort. For example, you may develop neck and eye strain from staring at a small screen for an extended period of time.

Using your phone before bed can also lead to overstimulation, which can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.

The quality of your sleep is important for a variety of reasons, including your physical and mental health, performance at work or school, and overall well-being. By ditching the phone before bed, you can improve the quality of your sleep and enjoy these benefits.

There are many alternative ways to relax and wind down before bed that don’t involve electronic devices. For example, you could read a book, listen to calming music, or practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing.

While it may be difficult to break the habit of using your phone before bed, there are steps you can take to make the transition easier. For example, you could set a reminder on your phone to put it away a few hours before bed, or you could find a designated spot in your home to store your phone at night.

Ditching the phone before bed can have numerous benefits for your sleep, mental health, and physical comfort. By creating a bedtime routine that doesn’t involve electronic devices, you can improve your sleep quality and overall health and well-being. It may take some time to get used to not using your phone before bed, but the benefits are well worth the effort. So consider setting aside your phone a few hours before bed and finding other ways to relax and unwind at the end of the day.