Ah, our beloved devices – smartphones, tablets, laptops – where would we be without them? From connecting with friends and family to binge-watching the latest series on Netflix, it’s no secret that our favorite screens keep us occupied for most of the day (and night!). But, as much as we adore our screens, there is something they might be keeping from us. The ugly truth, hidden right beneath their beautiful interfaces. I bet they don’t want us to know, but let’s reveal the truth – our screens are literally keeping us awake.
Say hello to the “blue light” – the very same one that gives our screens that alluring glow. And while the soothing hue might make our screens appear heavenly, this light isn’t our best friend when it comes to sleep.
“But how is it even possible?”, you may ask, all skeptical-like. Well, dear reader, you see, blue light emitted from screens tampers with the oh-so-essential melatonin production. Melatonin is basically our internal sleep coach that starts yelling at us when it’s time to hit the hay. So, blue light comes and crashes our melatonin party, and before you know it, you’ve been up for hours on a mindless scroll through your Instagram feed. You don’t need me to tell you how frustrating that can be – we’ve all been there!
Blue light’s impacts don’t end there – your cute, naïve eyes don’t know the difference between day and night when under its spell. Our brains associate blue light with daytime, and exposing our eyes to it before bed can signal to our minds that it’s still playtime – making it difficult to fall asleep. In simple words, blue light might be ruining our shut-eye and sleep quality, like a grumpy old neighbor yelling “Get off my lawn!” at any kids who come near.
To top it off, you might have also heard about the terrifying “circadian rhythm”. For those not aware, this is your internal body clock that essentially tells you when it’s time to sleep and when it’s time to rock and roll. Messing with it, as you can guess, can have consequences far graver than just staying up past your bedtime. Frequent interference with your sleep schedule has been linked to an increased risk of health issues like obesity, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer. Let that sink in. Cancer. The blue light is not just any irritating photobomber in our life’s album – it could potentially be the reason behind some severe health conditions.
But, worry not, there’s no need to burn our screens at the stake and renounce technology altogether. Moderation is the key here – give yourself some screen-free time before bed to allow your body and mind to wind down. Invest in a blue light filter app, screen protector, or a pair of those ever-trendy blue light glasses. The point is, save yourself from those never-ending tossing and turning nights, staring at the ceiling while questioning your life choices.
After all, if we’re going to continue this whirlwind romance with our screens (because, let’s face it, we’re not breaking up anytime soon), it’s time we introduce them to the family, make some boundaries, and say, “Enough is enough!” Sleep well, my screen-loving friends, for the blue light’s reign over our slumber has come to an end.