How Electronics Affect Sleep

The 2011 Sleep in America Poll from the National Sleep Foundation included questions
about the use of electronics before bed. The survey found that roughly four in 10 Americans
bring their cell phone into bed when trying to fall asleep. This behavior was particularly
common among adolescents and young adults between the ages of 13 and 29. Additionally,
six in 10 respondents claimed to use a desktop or laptop computer within one hour of going
to bed.

Tempting as it might be to use your computer or phone before bed, studies have shown these
devices can interfere with sleep by suppressing the production of melatonin1, a natural
hormone released in the evening to help you feel tired and ready for sleep. This leads to
neurophysiologic arousals that increase feelings of alertness2 when you should be winding
down instead.