Recent Blog Articles
Cutting and self-harm: Why it happens and what to do
Discrimination at work is linked to high blood pressure
Pouring from an empty cup? Three ways to refill emotionally
Give praise to the elbow: A bending, twisting marvel
Sneezy and dopey? Seasonal allergies and your brain
The FDA relaxes restrictions on blood donation
Apps to accelerometers: Can technology improve mental health in older adults?
Swimming and skin: What to know if a child has eczema
A muscle-building obsession in boys: What to know and do
Natural disasters strike everywhere: Ways to help protect your health
Staying Healthy
Get a better night's sleep by turning off electronic gadgets
Make 9 p.m. your cutoff time, and keep screens off if you wake in the night.
|
Maybe you've heard that turning off a computer, smartphone, or TV screen can help you fall asleep, but is there really any truth to it? "Absolutely," says sleep expert Dr. Lawrence Epstein, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. "Light by itself is an alerting stimulus. It also suppresses the secretion of melatonin, a substance that helps regulate the body's internal clock, which controls the timing of the sleep-wake cycle." That means bright light in the late evening can delay the sleep period, making it harder to fall asleep at night and harder to get up early in the morning. "The later you look at bright screens, the more you can shift your internal clock," says Dr. Epstein.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
