Sleep with your phone under your pillow? It might be time to think twice…
Most of us keep our phones within arm’s reach at all times—texts, emails, and notifications constantly buzzing through, easy payment options stored, and always ready to make a call. It’s no surprise that many people reach for their phones the moment they wake up to check all the alerts that piled up overnight.
But should your phone really be by your side while you sleep? Probably not, and here’s why:
- Health Risks from Radiation Mobile phones emit radiation as they transmit signals, often around 900MHz. Keeping your phone close to your head for long periods—like when you sleep—can lead to headaches, muscle pain, and potentially more serious health issues. While people have different reasons for keeping their phones nearby, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
- Disrupts Your Sleep LED screens, including those on phones, tablets, and TVs, emit blue light, which studies suggest disrupts the production of melatonin—the hormone that helps us sleep—and throws off our circadian rhythms. Blue light mimics daylight wavelengths, tricking your body into thinking it’s daytime and making it harder to fall asleep.
- Fire Hazard Many people are so attached to their phones that they sleep with them under their pillows, which has led to some dangerous incidents. For example, in July 2014, a teen in Texas woke up to a burning smell—her Samsung Galaxy S4 had overheated under her pillow, scorching her sheet and mattress.
To avoid this, put your phone in “airplane mode” or, even better, turn it off entirely before bed. Phones emit electromagnetic radiation as long as they’re powered on, so powering down can keep you both safer and healthier.