How airplane mode can change the way you sleep
30 day sleep challenge day 27: cut the connection
#8anight
In a world so fiercely driven by technology, it can be difficult to just switch off and take a break. Our mobile phones have become a constant source of distraction with emails, texts and social media notifications ringing in at all hours of the day. Studies have found the average person looks at his or her phone 46 times every day.
Research on the ‘psychology of technology’ has found anxiety or FOMO to be a result of us misusing our technology and consequently losing out on quality sleep. This level of anxiety has been seen in smartphone users who feel uncomfortable if they are not in direct contact with their phone at all times. The study on more than 700 college students found that students who were more anxious about being away from their phones used them more during the day and in many cases would wake to check it during the night. This increase in daily smartphone use and nighttime wakings led directly to sleep problems.
So why does it impact so negatively on our sleep? People who are more anxious about staying connected are more likely to check their phone before they go to sleep, during the night and when they awake first thing in the morning. The emission of blue light just before sleep increases the release of cortisol in the brain making us more alert and slowing down the production of melatonin which we need to fall asleep. The constant checking of emails and social media, can lead to stress and a lack of focus. Rather than relaxing your body and mind before you sleep or start your day, you are causing yourself more stress and worry which in turn has a negative impact on how you sleep and how your day begins.
One way of handling this and bringing back some control to your sleeping habits is to put your phone on airplane mode an hour before you plan on going to bed and leaving it on until an hour after you wake in the morning.
When airplane mode is on, all connections to your phone are off. Unlike when you put it on silent, you cannot be tempted to check your phone as you know there will be no notifications. The constant demand and distraction are gone for 10 hours and you can claim back that time to focus on yourself.
Everything will still be there in the morning and you will be more rested, focused and ready to deal with it.
Try it tonight — turn your phone onto airplane mode an hour before you plan on going to bed and leave it on until an hour after you wake up, it’s amazing how liberating it can feel.
