Using the phone in bed might seem like a relaxing way to wind down, but scientists have found that it could be ruining your sleep.
A study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that using the phone in bed could increase the risk of insomnia by 59 percent.
The research showed that the issue isn’t necessarily the type of screen activity that’s being done — whether it’s scrolling through social media, watching videos, or playing games — but the fact that screen time before bed takes up valuable time that should be spent resting.
The study, which surveyed over 45,000 young adults aged 18 to 28, found that screen use in bed could reduce sleep time by an average of 24 minutes.
While this might not sound like much, over time, the minutes lost can add up and impact the overall sleep quality.
Dr. Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland, the lead author of the study, explained that the problem lies in screen use displacing time that would otherwise be used to relax and prepare for sleep.
Sleep is vital for both mental and physical health. Lack of sleep can lead to a range of problems, including poor mood, decreased focus, and even serious health issues.
For students, poor sleep can hurt academic performance and emotional well-being. More concerning is the fact that inadequate sleep is linked to high blood pressure, a common risk factor for heart disease.
