Do you find yourself lying in bed for a while before you actually fall asleep? Do you find that this still happens even when you feel tired and physically drained? Bet you will never guess what is really causing you to have trouble sleeping at night. Do you have a phone? How about a tablet? Perhaps you have a computer? It is almost certain you do, and a recent study conducted by UCLA showed that blue light from the screens of your electronic devices actually contributes to insomnia.
According to the study, blue light tricks your brain into thinking it should stay awake, preventing the production of the key hormone melatonin, which is responsible for putting you to sleep. The study also showed that individuals who use their electronic devices a few hours before bed had the most difficulty falling asleep.
Getting proper sleep is an important component of staying healthy. Experts say that eight hours of quality sleep increases your ability to gain new insight into complex problems by 50% the next day. Aside from keeping away from digital screens to protect your sleep, there are additional steps you can take to help you fall asleep quicker:
– Avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and other chemicals that can interfere with sleep
– Turn your bedroom into a sleep-inducing environment
– Keep a consistent sleep schedule
– Nap early or not at all
– Exercise early in the morning
– Avoid heavy, spicy, or sugary foods a few hours before bedtime
But what if you don’t want to stop using your electronic devices hours before bedtime? In today’s society this is not a very realistic option. The truth is that people usually need and want to use their electronic devices before bedtime, whether it be their phone, tablet, or computer. You could purchase an inexpensive anti blue-light screen protector that prevents the harmful effects of the blue light on your devices. SleepShield offers blue blocking screens for virtually any type of device.
Wishing you all a good night’s sleep!
by Matthew Golan
