Effects Of Screen Time On Adult Sleep (Beginner)
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By Laurie Hollman, Ph.D.
Screen time at night keeps adults from falling asleep and sleeping well. Your brain’s electrical activity increases and it prevents you from calming down into a peaceful state of mind for sleep. In addition, responding to an email, text, or video increases the tension in your body which results in stress. Your body then produces the stress hormone, cortisol.
Also, the screen gives off light that suggests to the brain that it is still daytime which contributes to insomnia. Holding a device such as a smartphone close to one’s face increases this effect, giving the brain the wrong signal as if it’s not time to go to sleep.
The best advice is to stop watching TV or using smartphones and other screen devices an hour or two before bedtime to give your brain a rest and the correct signal that it is time for sleep. So limit your screen time and get a good night’s rest. You’ll be happy in the morning!