After a long day, scrolling through your phone in bed can feel like the perfect way to unwind. Maybe you check social media, watch a few videos, answer messages, or read the news. The problem? Your brain may not see this as winding down.
Electronic devices emit blue light, which can interfere with the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Exposure to light in the evening can suppress melatonin, a hormone that helps signal that it is time to sleep. As a result, using your phone right before bed may make it harder to feel sleepy and fall asleep.
There is another issue, too: your phone can keep your brain engaged. Even if you’re physically tired, an interesting video, exciting conversation, or endless stream of content can encourage you to stay awake longer than planned.
Why Deep Sleep Matters
Getting enough hours of sleep is important, but the quality of that sleep matters just as much. During deep sleep, your body gets an opportunity to carry out important restorative processes. Consistently disrupted or insufficient sleep can leave you feeling tired, irritable, and unfocused during the day.
Unfortunately, simply putting your phone down doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get the restorative sleep your body needs. Other conditions can interfere with sleep quality, including sleep apnea.
How Sleep Apnea Can Disrupt Your Rest
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. These interruptions can prevent you from progressing normally through the different stages of sleep, including deep sleep.
One of the challenges with sleep apnea is that you may not realize how often your sleep is being interrupted. You might wake up briefly throughout the night without remembering it in the morning. Even when you believe you’ve slept for seven or eight hours, those repeated disruptions can leave you feeling as though you barely rested at all.
Over time, poor-quality sleep can affect more than your morning energy. Daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and reduced enjoyment of everyday activities can all make a difference in your quality of life.
Give Your Brain a Break Before Bed
Creating a relaxing bedtime routine can help prepare your body and mind for sleep. Try putting your phone and other electronic devices away at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Instead, consider reading a physical book, listening to calming music, stretching gently, or simply giving yourself some quiet time.
If you regularly wake up feeling exhausted, experience morning headaches, snore loudly, or have been told that you stop breathing during sleep, don’t assume that poor sleep is simply part of getting older. These can be signs of sleep apnea and are worth discussing with a qualified professional.
Small changes to your nighttime routine can support better sleep, but recognizing and addressing sleep disorders is equally important.
About the Practice
Downtown Denver Sleep Solutions is focused on helping patients understand and address sleep apnea and related sleep concerns. Dr. Radz and Dr. Thompson are committed to providing information about sleep apnea and its potential effects on overall health and quality of life, helping patients take steps toward more restful, restorative sleep. Stop counting sheep and gives us a call instead!
Call us at (303) 377-5337 or schedule your appointment online.