It's become increasingly common for people to wind down before bed by scrolling through their phones or watching TV. 

However, this habit may be detrimental to both sleep quality and overall health. Let’s explore the importance and benefits of disconnecting from electronics at least one hour before bedtime.

1. Improved Sleep Quality: The blue light emitted by electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, can interfere with the body's natural sleep-wake cycle. Exposure to blue light suppresses melatonin production, the hormone that regulates sleep, making it harder to fall asleep and achieve restorative sleep cycles. By unplugging electronics before bedtime, you allow your body to produce melatonin naturally, leading to better sleep quality and more restful nights. After trying this for a week, we also noticed an improvement in sleep quality, where we woke up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. 

2. Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Constant exposure to emails, social media notifications, and news updates can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety, especially before bedtime. You may know if the first activity you do when you wake up is to check your emails. Similarly, you want to clear your brain of this heightened activity before bed by not checking your emails or social media. Taking a break from electronics allows your mind to disconnect from the digital world and focus on calming activities, such as reading, journaling, or practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. This can help reduce stress levels and promote a sense of calm before bedtime.

3. Enhanced Mental Wellbeing: There is a correlation between excessive screen time before bed and poor mental health outcomes, including depression and mood disturbances. By prioritizing screen-free activities before bedtime, such as spending quality time with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, or practicing self-care rituals, you give your mind a chance to decompress and recharge. This can improve mental well-being and a more positive outlook on life.

4. Better Relationships: Using electronic devices before bedtime can detract from quality time spent with partners, family members, or roommates. By unplugging from screens and engaging in face-to-face interactions or shared activities, you foster stronger connections and communication within your relationships. Rather than talking to your friends and family over a screen, why not spend time together in person during the day? If it is someone who lives far away and you rarely see, set a time during the day when you can call each other or have a chat so you don’t end up cramming it all right before bed.

The benefits of disconnecting from electronics before bedtime are numerous and far-reaching. By consciously unplugging at least one hour before bed, you can improve sleep quality, reduce stress and anxiety, enhance mental well-being, and strengthen relationships. So, every night when you are getting ready for bed, remember this and try your best to put down your phone at least an hour before sleep.