In the hustle of modern life, winding down often involves a familiar scene: lying in bed, phone in hand, scrolling through endless content until drowsiness sets in. It feels harmless, but the reality is more complex. You may not give it a second thought but Mindlessly scrolling can be bad for your health.
Engaging Your Mind, Disrupting Your Sleep – What’s Good & Bad for Your Health
According to neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho, the seemingly ‘mindless’ act of bedtime scrolling sends a different message to our minds. “What you are telling your mind is to pay attention, be engaged. When you do that, your mind is not going to go to sleep,” she warns. This active screen time not only keeps you awake but is also linked to heightened stress and depressive symptoms.
“You may still fall asleep because you’re just so exhausted, but that sleep is not restful, and you’re more likely to experience interrupted sleep,” adds Dr. Ho.
The Importance of Restful Sleep
Quality trumps quantity when it comes to sleep. Dr. Aneesa Das, a sleep medicine specialist, emphasizes the impact of light on sleep quality. “We want bright light in the morning, which helps amplify our drive, and we want to decrease the amount of light in the evening,” she advises. This includes your phone, as the blue light mimics daylight, hindering the natural sleep process.
A Youthful Perspective: Screens and Sleep
Recent research reveals that teens using screens before bedtime took 30 minutes longer to fall asleep. For individuals of all ages, persistent poor sleep is linked to increased risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, warns Dr. Ho.
Prescribing a Screen-Free Bedtime Routine
Experts recommend a simple yet impactful solution to get rid of Mindlessly scrolling: put down devices 30 minutes to an hour before bed. Establishing a nighttime routine devoid of screens can be the key to better sleep and overall health.
Breaking the scroll habit might be the crucial step towards a healthier, more restful tomorrow.
