Many people use their smartphones or computers before bedtime, once they finish using these devices, they have difficulty falling asleep.
The reason lies in the blue light emitted by these devices, it affects us in the brain causing a reduction in the release of melatonin, melatonin is a hormone that has, among its functions, the function of warning the body that it is bedtime.
- This phenomenon.
- So common today.
- Is known as digital insomnia.
- It is a disorder that affects sleep.
- Making us sleep less or in worse condition.
- This not only happens because of the lights and screens.
- But also because of the difficulty of disconnecting.
- Everyday concerns.
There are many people who check their phones before bedtime, and many also do so when they wake up at dawn.
On the other hand, are many other people used to touching their mobile phones as soon as they wake up?That’s the first thing they do. All this makes us unable to separate contact with technology, social media or work from our moments of rest.
The succession of screens and images and the hyperactivity that favors the Internet stimulate the brain in an exaggerated way, causing our nervous system to send a signal contrary to the one it needs during sleep.
As mentioned above, artificial light emitted by devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets can be one of the most common causes of digital insomnia. Backlit displays transform the distribution of melatonin.
This hormone should begin to be released into the body at least one hour before bedtime, however, the effect of screens alters their production, causing difficulty falling asleep, so some elements such as electronic readers, whose screens are generally opaque and black and white, are less harmful.
Digital insomnia is mainly due to excessive use of a mobile phone or computer before bedtime.
In addition to the digital display lights already mentioned, there are other factors that can be blamed for this type of insomnia.
Spending many hours in front of the TV, especially before bedtime, can alter our rest, in this sense a less harmful hobby can be reading before bedtime, plus reading can be a good way to relax and start falling asleep.
Using your phone as an alarm and leaving it next to your bed is not really just a cell phone, it ends up becoming a device that is used all the time, and we don’t leave it out at bedtime. Bedtime means we can’t disconnect from social media and everyday worries.
Internet games can be really addictive. A lot of people spend many hours there, these people extend their playing time until bedtime.
In addition, video games have long since ceased to be designed almost exclusively for a teenage audience, today people of very different ages consume these products, however, despite their positive side, it also increases the problems of digital insomnia.
As the problem of digital insomnia increases, there are also different solutions that try to mitigate the effects of technology on our rest. A curious example is the return of lullabies.
These classic songs that parents used to help their children sleep have been integrated into several mobile apps to help us sleep better, however, it carries the irony of continuing to depend on the mobile phone even for sleep.
On the other hand, we use earplugs, which allow us to insulate ourselves from external noises that prevent us from sleeping. There is also the use of white noise, with which we can stop paying attention to the distractions that disturb us at night.
Reading is highly recommended and, most importantly, reduces the time of use of electronic devices, there is even a pharmacological treatment for this, although in this case it is more practical to consult the doctor.