Doing THIS before bed can disrupt your sleep.

It's very common to check your cell phone before going to sleep, whether to make sure you haven't left any pending tasks, to send a last message to friends or family, or even in the hope that looking at the screen will help you fall asleep. However, this last option is n't recommended.

It was on March 17, 2023, when, on the occasion of World Sleep Day, the Ministry of Health (SSa) warned that excessive or prolonged use of mobile devices such as phones and tablets can cause sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances.

Prolonged exposure to device screens can seriously affect sleep, the ministry explained. This is because the light emitted reduces the production of melatonin , the hormone responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle, and at the same time increases levels of cortisol, known as the stress hormone. Together, these effects make it difficult for a person to get proper sleep.

Therefore, to promote adequate rest and prevent possible complications, it is advisable to establish fixed bedtimes and avoid using mobile devices at least two hours before bedtime , as this helps you fall asleep more quickly.

The Ministry of Health warned that, when faced with sleep problems, it is important not to resort to self-medication . It also urged people to consult a specialist to properly treat these disorders. Among the main recommendations are avoiding heavy meals before bedtime, not consuming coffee or alcohol, and, of course, limiting cell phone use before bed.

The magazine Muy Interesante says that the problem of sleeping due to cell phones comes from the circadian rhythm, which determines when the body releases hormones, and is controlled by exposure to light.

At night, while we're scanning a screen, a stream of photons is sent directly into our eyes, which tells our brain not to secrete melatonin, the hormone that makes us feel tired.

Because of this, we will spend more time awake, looking at our cell phones.

Muy Interesante points out that when we don't sleep enough, between 7 and 9 hours a day , we end up having impaired memories and lapses of inattention, as well as alterations in our metabolism.

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