Effects of Technology Insomnia

You might prefer to read these suggestions for peaceful slumber during the quiet, early-morning hours.

The ‘Mobilesomnia’ Trend

Does your phone keep you up at night? This might unofficially fall within the realm of parasomnias but does your early morning insomnia require a digital fix? A time-consuming scroll through social media feeds, a search for new memes, or a late-night episode binge. These activities, which have your smartphone in common, may cause you to awaken with much less stamina for a full, day’s work.

Out of Reach, Out of Mind

Electronic nighttime chargers are a bane and a boon. They allow you to awaken in the morning with your plethora of digital devices at full battery levels. Convenient chargers also keep such devices within arm’s reach throughout the night.

Don’t unfriend me for the suggestion but consider charging your phone a distance away, perhaps even in another room. Serious addictions and obsessions may require the assistance of a licensed therapist. A sleep specialist can wire your brain to make recommendations after recording neural activity.

The Need to Dream

Early morning hours might appear to be a void of time to use as you please. Yet, your body needs rest to repair cells and clear out mental waste. Insufficient rest correlates to irritability, lethargy, headaches, and poor skin conditions. Throughout the rest periods, you undergo a complex cycle of light sleep, deep sleep, and rapid eye movement.

It’s possible to track your sleeping patterns on an Apple Watch within the Health app. This sets up what’s called a Focus for sleep periods. It’s helpful to charge your watch battery at dusk before your eyelids get heavy. During the sleep Focus, device screens dim and message alerts are silent. You can view a graphical display of your nightly sleep cycles.

So the next time your eyes pop open hours before the alarm clock, get up and take a leak if necessary. Then fluff your pillow and enjoy a good night’s rest.

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