On an ordinary night, Lieber, a 60-year-old retired teacher, picked up his smartphone before bed, as usual. Little did he realize that this simple habit was quietly affecting his health. After a few months, he began to experience decreased sleep quality, eye strain, and persistent neck pain. At the persuasion of his family, he went to the doctor with these problems. The results of the examination showed that these symptoms were directly related to his nightly mobile phone use habits.
Using mobile phones before bed has become a habit for many people, but the negative effects of this modern lifestyle on sleep are often overlooked. Lying in bed at night, the mobile phone in your hand is like a small sun that never goes out, and the hidden health risks behind it are what each of us should be wary of.
First, the blue light emitted by mobile phone screens has a significant impact on our sleep cycles. Blue light inhibits the secretion of melatonin, a substance known as the "sleep hormone" that is essential for regulating our biological clock. When exposed to blue light for a long time, our brains are deceived into believing that it is still daytime, which delays sleep time, resulting in difficulty falling asleep and poor sleep quality.
Secondly, the use of mobile phones at night is often accompanied by psychological excitement and nervousness. Whether you're socializing**, reading the news, or playing games, these activities can keep your brain highly active, making it harder to relax and fall into a deep sleep.
In today's society, smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. Especially at night, many people are used to using their phones for long periods of time before bedtime. However, this habit can have a non-negligible impact on our vision health.
1.The effects of blue light
The blue light emitted by smartphone screens is potentially harmful to the eyes。Long-term exposure to blue light accelerates the degeneration of retinal cells in the eye and increases the risk of eye disease.
Studies have shown that blue light may also interfere with our sleep cycle because it inhibits the production of melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone.
2.Myopia and eye strain
Staring at your phone's screen for long periods of time can cause your eyes to be overfocused and adjusted, which can trigger eye strain。Symptoms include dry eyes, pain, blurred vision, and headaches.
For adolescents and children, prolonged use of mobile phones is especially dangerous because it may accelerate the progression of myopia.
Neck and back protection: smartphones, unintelligent postures
Smartphones have become a part of modern life, however, playing with your head down for long periods of time before going to bed can lead to cervical spine and back problems, which are health hazards that we often overlook.
Cervical spine pressure doubles
Looking down at the phone for a long time, the gravity that the cervical spine needs to withstand increases dramatically. Normally, a person's head weighs about 8% of the body's total body weight, but when the head is lowered at 45 degrees, the cervical spine can weigh about 20 pounds (about 9 kilograms). This unnatural posture persists for a long time and can lead to cervical spine lesions and even herniated discs.
Muscle tension and pain
Incorrect posture can leave the neck and back muscles in a state of tension for a long time, leading to muscle fatigue, pain, and even stiffness. Over time, it can lead to chronic muscle problems, such as muscle strain and myofascial pain.