How Screens Are Messing with Your Sleep

9. Screens and Sleep Fragmentation

Even if individuals manage to fall asleep after screen use, their sleep may still be fragmented. Notifications, vibrations, and lights from devices can disrupt sleep cycles, leading to frequent awakenings throughout the night. This fragmentation prevents the achievement of deep, restorative sleep stages, resulting in feelings of fatigue and grogginess upon waking. To combat sleep fragmentation, it is important to silence devices or keep them out of the bedroom altogether, ensuring that they do not intrude on the sleep environment.

10. The Psychological Effects of Screen-Induced Insomnia

Chronic screen use can lead to insomnia, a condition characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. The psychological effects of insomnia can be profound, impacting mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being. The anxiety and stress associated with insomnia can create a vicious cycle, where the fear of not being able to sleep exacerbates the condition. Screens can contribute to this cycle by keeping the mind active and alert, making it difficult to achieve the relaxation necessary for sleep. Addressing screen use is a critical component of insomnia treatment, helping to break the cycle and restore healthy sleep patterns.