How Phones Affect Sleep

Read more on how to sleep better

by Arianna Davis

It’s late at night, you’re tucked into bed, the moonlight is streaming through your window while your phone light is beaming on your face. Studies from SCL health have shown that the blue light that is emitted from your phone restrains the production of melatonin the body must produce or it can be more difficult to go to sleep and wake up the next morning. Sleep physician Kim- I just think they just aren’t “ berly Truong wrote an article about how getting a good night’s rest. phones affect people’s sleep. In the article – Nurse Lori Stout she says, “Electronic back-lit devices like cell ” phones, tablets, readers, and computers emit short-wavelength enriched light, also known as blue light. Fluorescent and LED lights also emit blue light, which has been shown to reduce or delay the natural production of melatonin in the evening and decrease feelings of sleepiness.”

NaFo school nurse, Lori Stout says that she’s had teachers send students to her office just for them to sleep, which isn’t allowed in her office. “I think they just aren’t getting a good night’s rest. Some of them have jobs, chores, homework and with all that I just think they aren’t getting enough sleep.”

Sleep doctor Dr. Michael Breus claims that over 80% of Americans own a smartphone and 65% of them admit to checking their phone at night. Physicians Brandon Peters and Keri Peterson wrote “It may be tough to stop and put the device away. This alone may lead to a delay in bedtime and reduced total sleep time. This may contribute to sleep deprivation if the needed hours of sleep to feel rested are not obtained. The stimulation may make it hard to shut down and fall asleep. The mind may be overly excited or activated.” Staying up on your phone at night increases your alertness at night time, which destroys the melatonin and relaxing feeling that you need to fall asleep. If you spend time at night looking at your phone, that can decrease your alertness in the morning which means you’ll be more tired and less alert. Want to sleep better and wake up refreshed? Put your phone on “do not disturb” so your phone won’t be a distraction. Another suggestion is putting your phone in another room away from you so it isn’t there as a distraction or temptation. Using night time mode on your device helps with the amount of blue light being used. Invest in some blue light blocking glasses, to help your eyes if you need your phone with you at nighttime.