Nowadays, it’s pretty common for people to check their phone or tablet before going to bed, but have you ever wondered what people in the past did? They had no electricity, so once night came, they went to bed. This is a healthy habit which significantly improved their quality of life. Technology is important of course, but since the invention of computers and the cell phone, the quality of life has dropped, and some studies say that since the 1970s, the cases of depression, stress and insomnia have tripled in amount, and are definitely linked with the invention of some technological devices.
The constant use of electronic devices is the main reasons for many ailments and disorders. How many times a day you check your email or Facebook profile? How much time do you spend on your smartphone before going to bed? 30 minutes, an hour? Do you remember to blink when looking at these devices? Scientific research has proven that exposure to the blue light emitted from electronic devices before going to bed prevents the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls the sleep-wake cycle. Darkness stimulates the production of melatonin and protects the cells from damage, but this can all be disrupted due to our use of electronic devices.
Without enough melatonin in our body, we are more prone to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, weak immune system and cancer. Besides being a powerful antioxidant, melatonin also slows down the aging process and delays its effects on our skin and health.
The more you sleep overnight, the greater the melatonin production. This is why it’s bad to disrupt your sleeping cycle by using electronic devices. If you’ve become more prone to infections and diseases lately, start going to bed earlier and without using electronic devices before taking pills – it might be because of low melatonin production. Going to bed earlier and turning off your tablet or smartphone might help you achieve this and will result in improved melatonin production and the prevention of insomnia.
Besides insomnia, using your smartphone or tablet before going to bed may cause vision problems as well. The blue light emitted from these devices is harmful for the retina and may even cause macular degeneration. Excess exposure to this light can also contribute to the development of cataract, which is why it’s time to quit the habit.