Screens in Bed: Are They Messing With Your Sleep?

Students are spending a lot of time on their screens in bed. This might be a bad idea. A recent study found that more screen time in bed could lead to worse sleep. The study looked at over 45, 000 students in Norway. They found that each extra hour of screen time increased the risk of insomnia by 63%. That is a lot. It also meant 24 minutes less sleep. This is a big deal because sleep is important for health. The study did not prove that screens cause bad sleep. It only showed a link. But many experts think screens can mess with sleep. Why? Because the light from screens can trick your brain. It makes your brain think it is still daytime. This makes it harder to fall asleep. Also, using screens can be exciting or stressful. This can keep your brain active when it should be resting. The study also looked at different types of screen activities. It found that it does not matter much if you are on social media or watching videos. The problem is the screen time itself. So, putting down your phone before bed might help. Doing something relaxing instead could be a good idea. A bedtime routine might also help improve sleep. The study had some limits. It relied on people reporting their own experiences. This can be biased. Also, the study was done in Norway. So, the results might not apply to everyone. But it is still important to think about how screens affect sleep. It is a good idea to be mindful of screen time, especially before bed. Sleep is crucial for health. It helps your body and brain recover. Bad sleep can lead to many problems. It can affect your mood, your ability to concentrate, and even your physical health. So, it is worth trying to improve your sleep. One way to do this is to limit screen time in bed. Try reading a book or listening to calming music instead. Your body will thank you.