

Engaging with your phone too close to bedtime can negatively impact those feelings. Going to bed and falling asleep should be a peaceful, happy and relaxing experience. “There might be people that are more sensitive to it - but it’s really much more about what you’re doing on those devices.”Īdvertising Policy You may encounter content that causes intense emotions “The content you’re looking at probably has more of an impact than the blue light from the screens,” says Dr. Drerup adds that what you’re doing on your phone before bed matters more.

Or someone looking over their schedule for the next day and then doing something to relax.”ĭr. “That’s in contrast to someone checking to make sure they don’t have any messages to respond to an hour before bed. “Studies that have really shown support for light’s impact on sleep onset and melatonin production are much more people using screens for two hours straight prior to bedtime,” Dr. This isn’t necessarily happening to everyone, though. When your body runs low on it, you can experience insomnia, tiredness during the day and irritability. Melatonin is a hormone responsible for controlling your sleep-wake cycle.

Research has found a correlation between suppressed levels of melatonin and exposure to blue light. It’s why you feel more tired at night when the sun starts to set and why you feel more energized in the morning when it’s light. This rhythm is in tune with light and dark. But it can be bad for your sleep, too.Įxposure to blue light can affect your internal body clock and throw off your circadian rhythm. Studies have shown that the blue light emitted by your smartphone is bad for your vision. This can be great during the day, as it can make you feel more alert, but it’s just the opposite of what you need at night when you’re winding down and ready to hit the hay. The blue light from your phone is an artificial color that mimics daylight. Phone screens and sleep have a tricky relationship. The light from your phone screen can have an impact It’s listening for that email chime letting you know a project is moving along. It’s thinking about or feeling your phone going off under your pillow. Your mind can stay active and engaged long after you’ve scrolled through social media or responded to a few work emails.Īnd it’s not just the alertness you get from late-night social media sessions either. Even just a quick check can engage your brain and delay sleep.” “Checking your phone stimulates your brain,” Dr. When it’s time to turn off the lights and go to sleep, the last thing our brain needs is more information and stimulation. That can have a negative effect on your health, and here’s why.Īdvertising Policy It keeps your mind engaged But the smartphone era has forced us to feel like we can never really log off, even when we’re sleeping. Smartphones are designed to make our lives easier and more productive, as well as entertain us and provide information. “Active use includes things like texting or social media.” How your phone impacts sleep
#Iphone screen lights up and does not sleep tv#
“Studies indicate that more passive use of technology - such as listening to music via your phone or watching a non-distressing TV show - doesn’t really have an effect on sleep compared to active use,” says Dr. It’s more what you’re doing with the technology that makes a difference, like actively using your phone. However, it’s not just that you’re on your phone that can disrupt your sleep. In fact, when your brain revs up, it can keep you awake for hours beyond your normal bedtime. What may seem like a harmless habit to you - jumping into bed and opening up your phone - can actually have a big impact on your overall health.ĭoomscrolling, for example, can distract you, which keeps you awake, stimulates your brain and delays REM sleep. Yes, using your phone too much close to bedtime can affect your sleep. Sleep medicine expert Michelle Drerup, PsyD, DBSM, sheds some light on this sleep-sabotaging habit - and why you shouldn’t use your phone before bed. You probably don’t even realize how your smartphone habits are affecting your sleep and your brain’s health. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
