We all do it: go to bed with the television blaring; sending that last good night text; checking your email just before bed. It’s become a habit in our society to stay in complete touch from the moment we wake up to the second we fall asleep. But is this habit becoming detrimental to our health?
The Huffington post reported that a 2008 study funded by major mobile phone makers themselves showed that people exposed to mobile and television radiation took longer to fall asleep and spent less time in deep sleep. Because so many people use their phones as alarm clocks, leaving the phone less than arms reach away, people are more tempted to update themselves when they find they can’t fall asleep at night. Because of this, people are spending less time sleeping, leaving themselves prone to sleep deprivation, compromised immune systems and trouble regaining normal sleep habits.
Let’s do us all a favor and put away technology if only for eight hours. It’ll give everyone just enough time to miss you, and the only thing people like more than knowing everything is a little bit of mystery.
-Gabriela Teresa Gonzalez “Gigi”