Phone down, eyes shut

How's your sleep?? Do you find it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or maybe a combination of the two? If so, you're not alone. Studies from the Sleep Health Foundation. show that approximately 1 in 3 people have at least a mild form of insomnia. These sleep difficulties cause a decrease in energy, mood shifts, health declines, and cast an overall shadow on your quality of life. For many, you don't have to look far to find the culprit to these shut-eye struggles. In fact, you may  be holding it in your hand right now as you read this post.  You guessed it!--your cell phone, that mini extension of your hand. 

Studies show that there are huge benefits to putting your phone away before you hit the hay. In fact, technologically-checking-out 1-2 hours before bedtime could make a huge difference in your sleep. Thats because the blue light emitted from phone screens often interferes with the body's production of melatonin, the essential hormone in falling asleep. If it's impossible for you to check-out that early in the night, try setting the sleep setting on your phone, which automatically reduces the blue light. This way, those final hours of phone time aren't quite as disruptive. If you find yourself waking in the middle of the night, try your very best to avoid checking your phone. Instead try a body scan, relaxing back into bed. Get a clock to avoid this temptation! This way you can even store your phone in a separate room while you snooze. Out of sight, out of mind ;)