Technology can be the worst enemy of your rest: the scary effects of technology on sleep

Smartphones, computers and televisions follow us throughout the day, from early morning until we go to sleep. For many people they seemingly represent the best way to relax, in truth their impact on our brains is huge.

Sleeping with TV on, or more generally, in presence of electronics that emit lights and sounds, radically affects the quality of sleep. For example, one of the most common bad habits is actually falling asleep in front of the television. Studies regarding this topic have been carried out, and it is opinion of medical community that lights and sounds emitted by telescreens disrupt sleep quality.

Blue light from monitors, cell phones and TVs has been proven to suppress the production of melatonin, the hormone which helps maintain and restore the proper balance between sleep and wakefulness. Melatonin production is closely related to light exposure. It decreases during the day and increases during the night hours. Artificial light stimulus exerted on our eyes by cell phones, computers, televisions act directly on the pineal gland. The consequence is a disruption in melatonin production.

Tv on alters brain rhythms, triggers arousal reactions and interrupts the sleep cycle, constantly exposing the brain to sudden and uncontrollable sounds and noises.On average, once devices are turned off, it will take an hour or two to fall asleep.This delay, adds up to the time we turn off devices and deprives us of the 7-8 hours needed for the body and mind to regenerate and function at their best when we wake up.

You can’t blame all on TV

Did you know the reason for poor sleep, many nightmares as well as difficulties in falling asleep can also be a consequence of the unregulated use of smartphones?We've talked before about the issues of screen light inhibiting melanin production, but this is not the only negative effect!

Cell phones transmit magnetic waves that alter the body's self-regulatory system of biological processes, such as cardiac processes, or biorhythms. Electromagnetic waves are released into the environment by the devices even when they are on standby mode.

According to a survey conducted by Brigham and Women Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, nighttime cell phone use not only raises the chances of suffering from sleep disorders, but also increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Experts are alarmed that technological insomnia is set to grow in the decades to come. Children are accessing electronic devices earlier and earlier, and it''s common for them to take them to bed without adult supervision.

Don’t panic!

it's never too late to introduce conscious and responsible use of phones and electronic devices in general to improve our well-being.

In the following list a few practical tips for changing the usage routine of electronic devices:

• Falling asleep with your smartphone next to your pillow is not recommended. A good solution to rest properly, regenerate energy and wake up in a good mood is to go to bed leaving phones and tablets in another room
• Turn off smartphones and tech-devices at least 2-3 hours before going to bed for the best night rest
• Your bedroom should be dark and quiet to conciliate sleep and improve rest quality. Light sources
  can be disruptive for the body
• Read a good book and relax your eyes from artificial lights. Maybe you can practice yoga or meditation before going to bed - it relaxes mind and body
• Set a sleep timer on the TV In case you fall asleep with the TV on, the TV will automatically turn off at the pre-set time

Applying the correct habits can radically change the quality of sleep and, consequently, our physical and mental well-being

Do you really know the value of good rest? Find out more, we talk about it in our post here