- Smartphones disrupt sleep.
The blue light emitted by smartphone screens interferes with melatonin secretion. When it gets dark, melatonin starts to be released, signaling a drop in body temperature and preparation for sleep. However, smartphones disrupt this process. Specialists believe that gadgets can inhibit melatonin secretion by up to 20%, leading to difficulties in falling asleep.
Sometimes people keep their phones nearby while sleeping to set alarms. This way, they allow themselves a few extra minutes of rest: with their eyes closed, they find the device, turn off the alarm and drift back to sleep. Such actions are harmful to the body, as interrupting sleep creates issues in the brain related to the alternating production of dopamine and serotonin. As a result, a person may struggle to function properly during the day: concentration becomes difficult, irritability increases, mood swings occur and stress and fatigue set in.
- Gadgets create dependency.
The need to use a phone before bed can lead to dependency known as nomophobia, which is the fear of being without contact with a phone. Like other harmful habits, nomophobia is linked to disruptions in dopamine secretion—the happiness hormone. If the phone isn’t within reach, a person may start to feel anxious, experience dizziness, an increased heart rate and sleep disturbances. To avoid dependency, it’s best to turn off the phone at night.
- Phone light disrupts biological rhythms.
Devices with LED and LCD screens emit cold artificial light. So, when you scroll through the news feed before bed, your body receives a signal that it’s time to wake up. Disruption of the biological clock threatens not only insomnia but also sudden nighttime hunger.
- The phone can contribute to the development of body pain.
To watch videos, read or scroll through the news while lying in bed, you often have to take uncomfortable positions. Prolonged lying on your back, stomach or side can lead to muscle or joint pain. As a result, you often wake up feeling discomfort or pain in your body, which can reduce productivity. In this case, if you need to quickly restore concentration and boost brainpower, you can take Artvigil or Modavigil. Taking these medications can help you get back to accomplishing all of your tasks as quickly as possible.
- The phone screen emits dangerous electromagnetic waves.
If the smartphone stays near the pillow at night, the person receives an additional dose of radiation. The closer the source of radiation is to the body, the greater the danger. Electromagnetic waves negatively affect the body, disrupting biological rhythms and reducing the immune system’s effectiveness. Scientists suggest that electromagnetic radiation from gadgets can also adversely affect brain health and may provoke the development of malignant tumors. Therefore, it is recommended turning off Wi-Fi before bed to minimize electromagnetic radiation. Additionally, try putting the device in airplane mode—this way, it won’t receive or transmit radio waves.
- A fire may start or the phone may be damaged.
A malfunctioning phone is considered a fire hazard. For this reason, it is undesirable to use the device while charging, as many people do right next to their beds. Leaving a mobile phone charging overnight is also dangerous, as the device may overheat and cause very unpleasant situations.
Also, while we sleep, we change positions without controlling our movements, which can lead to accidentally dropping the phone on the floor. Sometimes, a person might press the phone too hard and damage it. Therefore, it’s better to keep the device away from the sleeping area. Additionally, if the gadget is under a pillow or blanket, it can overheat, which is also not good for it.
If you occasionally sleep with your phone, it may not cause significant harm, but doing so systematically is not advisable, as there is a risk of unpleasant consequences.
