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Doctor reveals the one thing you absolutely should not do if you wake up in the middle of the night

If you’re anything like me, tonight is one of those nights where sleep feels impossible to come by, and my late-night phone scrolling certainly doesn't help. While it might seem like a harmless way to unwind, experts warn that this habit could be sabotaging your sleep. According to this article by @Callum Jones with Unilad , the blue light from our screens suppresses melatonin—the hormone that helps regulate sleep—while the mental stimulation of scrolling through news, social media, or videos keeps our minds racing long past bedtime.

Experts suggest setting a screen curfew, powering down devices at least 30 minutes before bed, and creating a calming bedtime routine. Activities like reading, meditating, or listening to soothing music can help signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down. And if you’re prone to reaching for your phone, try keeping it out of reach and using an old-fashioned alarm clock instead. Reclaiming those pre-sleep moments could lead to deeper rest and better mornings—it’s time to break up with your phone at bedtime!

"Checking the time can increase stress and make it harder to sleep. Additionally, if you check the time on your phone, the contents of the phone may be too stimulating, which further prevents you from relaxing and falling asleep."

Tags

mental health, health, sleep, unilad, bedtime, stress, english, highlight

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