When You Check Social Media Before Bed, This Is What Happens

With computers and smartphones an integral part of our lives today, it's not surprising that we stare at screens all day. Many people bring their phones with them to bed and enjoy scrolling through social media before they fall asleep. But whether you realize it or not, this practice could be affecting your sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, using social media too much before bed can affect the quality of your sleep. Blue light, which is the type of light that is emitted by electronic screens, has the biggest impact on sleep. This type of light tells our brains that it's time to wake up, which can make it difficult to fall asleep.

Using social media frequently can also make feelings of anxiety and depression worse (via BBC Future). Those feelings can also make it more difficult to fall asleep at night, because you may find yourself comparing your life to what you see on social media as you lay in bed. It's a good idea to limit your social media use throughout the day and avoid scrolling through your phone before bed.

It's hard to overstate how important it is to get enough healthy sleep every night. Our sleep affects almost every part of our brains and bodies. "Many things that we take for granted are affected by sleep," Raymonde Jean, MD, director of sleep medicine and associate director of critical care at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City, told Health. "If you sleep better, you can certainly live better. It's pretty clear."

When we sleep, our bodies and brains have a chance to recharge from working hard during the day. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night (via Verywell Health). Reaching this sleep goal consistently can help you reduce your stress levels, regulate your metabolism, and keep your heart healthy. Other health benefits of sleep include reduced inflammation in the body, better balance, and improved memory. You will also feel more energized during the day when you sleep enough at night. If you're having a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep and you aren't sure why, talk to your doctor about how to improve your sleep.