Why it's dangerous to sleep near your phone: it's not just about radiation

The last thing most of us do before going to bed is switch off our phones and put them next to us. But this is actually a bad habit. And there are several reasons for this.

OBOZREVATEL looked into these reasons. After reading them, you will probably want to find a new place for your gadget.

It can make it difficult to fall asleep

Studies show that using any electronic device before bedtime - not just your phone, but also your tablet, TV, computer, game console, etc. - can make it harder to fall asleep. When you use gadgets, especially your mobile phone, right before you go to bed, you don't give your body and brain enough time to relax. In addition, news feeds, videos, or games provoke emotions that can be too strong before bedtime.

It can interfere with your sleep cycle

The blue light that is present in the backlighting of modern screens throws off your internal clock, delaying the natural release of melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep. For thousands of years, our circadian rhythms have been closely linked to the sunrise and sunset, signalling that it's time to sleep and wake up. But smartphones have disrupted this process. Whether you expose yourself to blue light right before bed or have your phone flashing at night while you sleep, it will negatively affect your sleep cycle. Some smartphones have a blue light filter function, but it is more effective to avoid using the gadget completely before bed.

It slightly increases the risk of radiation exposure

The horror story that using a phone can cause cancer does not yet have sufficient scientific evidence. However, it is difficult to deny the fact that a mobile phone emits a small level of non-ionising radiation during use. The only known side effect of this is heating. Nevertheless, experts advise not to place the gadget by the bedside to avoid any risks and get a better night's sleep.

Ideally, it is better to take the gadget to another room so that it does not interfere with anything. If you still need your phone near you, turn off all notifications, including vibrations, and put the device face down so that flashes do not interrupt your sleep.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told what not to do if your smartphone falls into water.

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