When spending hours in front of a screen, whether it’s a TV, computer, phone, or tablet, we expose ourselves to the device’s blue light. Some people experience discomfort after screen use often due to visual fatigue. Most people blink less when looking at a screen, leading to eye strain and dryness. It has become a habit for many to use a smartphone or computer in bed with the lights off. What better way to spend the last hours of the day? However, what happens to our body when engaging in this seemingly harmless activity?
How and Why Should You Protect Yourself From Your Gadgets’ Light?
Experts have mentioned that facing our eyes to screens of these technologies can affect our sleep hours. The blue waves from LED lights on phones, laptops, or tablet screens negatively affect the circadian rhythm, as the lights suppress melatonin (sleep hormone), which is secreted during darkness to keep us calm and prepare us for sleep.
In other words, when viewing these screens during darkness, our body doesn’t produce enough melatonin but rather cortisol (stress hormone) to keep us awake. Neurologists speculate that people exposed to this type of light before sleep tend to experience more sleep disorders compared to their counterparts exposed to warmer-toned light, which not only leads to morning moodiness but also decreases sleep quality with serious health consequences.
Additionally, excessive exposure to sunlight’s ultraviolet light increases the risk of eye diseases such as cataracts, abnormal growths on the cornea, or tumors.
Here Are Some Hacks to Avoid These Negative Effects on the Body:
- Download the f.lux/Screen capture application. This computer application adjusts the monitor’s color temperature based on exposure to external light (sunlight or lamps). During daylight hours, the light becomes bluer; while at night, the light turns warmer. It adjusts based on external light.
- Oyster e-reader app. If you enjoy reading e-books, this app is one of the best options for bedtime reading on your tablet or smartphone. This app is a subscription service that provides unlimited access to e-books per month with an f.lux adjustment to protect both your eyes and sleep.
- Twilight app, an alternative to f.lux, is useful for Android users.
- Try to stop using these gadgets before bedtime. Invest some time in bed before closing your eyes to relax and prepare for sleep.
This story was originally published in Spanish in Ecoosfera.