You’ve probably heard it again and again – you shouldn’t use your phone, tablet, etc. before bed, but you may find it difficult to follow this advice yourself even if you know it’s the right thing to do. It can be difficult to resist the urge to send a text to your significant other or watch just one more video, but the negative effects on your health can be more dire than you think it is. There are multiple reasons why you should start doing this. Consider making less screen time before bed one of your goals.
The negative effects of screen time
Surely you’ve experienced the feeling of getting up in the morning and not being energized for the day’s work because you were up doing something distracting. This can be especially bad if you have an important exam or meeting. Doctors say that you should stop using any electronic devices at least half an hour before you go to bed. It is better if you can avoid using them several hours in advance. If you frequently find yourself taking melatonin before bed, your screen is probably the culprit. If you need your phone for your alarm, put it in a corner of the room where you can’t reach for it at any point of the night. Better yet, you can try getting an old school alarm clock and leave your phone in another room. You will be able to cuddle up in your amazing bed you got from your favorite San Diego mattress store even better.
The infamous blue light
The “blue light” you may have heard about somewhere before is generated from fluorescent and LED lights. It directly decreases the amount of melatonin in your body making it harder for you to fall asleep when you need to. According to a study conducted by Harvard University Medical School, this can also lead to an increased risk level of depressive disorder, and even diabetes and heart disease.
Use night or dark mode
Many phones and even apps now allow you to use a “dark” mode. This is highly recommended. It is easier on your eyes not only during after hours but during the day as well. Just remember that this is not a substitution for turning off your phone at least 30 minutes before bed.
Set limits for your kids in their setting
If you have kids, you should take advantage of parental controls and set restrictions on their cell phones to ensure they are getting a good night’s rest. You can set these up on either an Apple or an Android device to make sure your child is not able to use their phone during certain hours of the night or day. You can also set limits to how long they can use certain apps a day. Consider taking all of your childrens’ devices (as well as your own) and putting them in another room before bedtime.
Finally….
Good sleep is the key to living a happy and healthy lifestyle. If you’re ready to experience the difference of a first-rate San Diego mattress today, please call us today at (619) 760-7031 to schedule an appointment at our store.