Can Our Phone Lock Box Help to Reduce Screen Time and the Damaging Effects of Blue Light?

The time we spend on our phones is higher now than ever before. A study by RescueTime found that the average person spends 3hours and 15 minutes on their phone a day, which is staggeringly over 45 solid days spent on our phones each year!!! This pandemic of addiction to our screens brings with it questions of the effect this may have on our health and wellbeing. It has been suggested that the blue light our screens emit can harm our sleep by suppressing our melatonin levels. In this blog, we will explore how our screens are affecting our sleep and what you need to do to regain your beauty sleep, with the help of our phone lock box!

So how can blue light cause you to lose sleep?

First of all, what is blue light? Well, blue light is part of the visible light spectrum – what the human eye can see, it has the shortest wavelength and highest energy. About one-third of all visible light is considered high-energy visible, or “blue,” light. Blue light comes from sunlight mainly but also some light bulbs and you guessed – electronic devices. 

How does it affect our sleep? Let’s get to the science!

Exposure to light suppresses the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that promotes feelings of sleepiness. While light of any kind can suppress the secretion of melatonin, blue light at night does so more powerfully. Modern light bulbs, electronic devices, and especially computer monitors, produce large amounts of blue light and may disrupt your internal clock if you’re exposed to them during the evening. When it gets dark, your pineal gland secretes the hormone melatonin, which tells your body to get tired and go to sleep. Blue light, whether from the sun or a laptop, is very effective at inhibiting melatonin production — thus reducing both the quantity and quality of your sleep. Here lies the link between poor sleep quality and the use of electronic devices.

How does blue light affect children?

The general principles of light affecting melatonin production and sleep apply to both children and adults. However, children may be even more sensitive to light. As we age, structures in our eyes gradually become less sensitive to light. Children also have larger pupils than adults. A research study found that evening light exposure suppressed melatonin twice as much in children compared to adults. Therefore we must be especially vigilant when it comes to our children and how much time they are spending on their devices before bedtime. 

How our phone lock box can protect you from blue light?

We all need our beauty sleep. It helps us feel refreshed and energised for the day ahead. But how do we fight tech addiction and what are the best ways to resist our screens before bed?

Make your bedroom a tech-free zone – Our lockable boxes for phones can be stored outside of the bedroom, with devices being placed within the Lockabox to create clear boundaries. In addition, devices can be charged whilst securely locked within the phone locker, meaning there are no excuses for devices being within the bedroom (thank us later!). This can be especially important with children, devices being securely locked away can create reassurance for parents around the safety of their children online and can really take the worry away – so not only does it help with sleep it also protects children online!

Set yourself at least an hour before bed away from your screen – Getting yourself into a routine where you spend time away from your phone for at least an hour before bed is really important. This time away from your screen will limit the effect that blue light has on your melatonin levels and help you to drift off and enter a deep sleep much easier!

Is lack of sleep getting you down? Why not try our phone lock box today and regain control of your (or your children’s) sleep routine!