If you're one of the many people who spend their evenings scrolling through social media apps or binge-watching TV shows in bed, then listen up! Did you know that this seemingly harmless habit could be contributing to your weight gain? Yep, you heard it right. So before you grab your phone tonight and get cozy under the sheets, let's dive into why scrolling in bed might not be as innocent as it seems.
Introduction: The Impact of smartphone Use at Bedtime
If you've been struggling to lose weight, your cell phone could be partially to blame. A new study has found that using a cell phone at bedtime can impact your body's natural fat-burning abilities, leading to unwanted weight gain.
Here's how it works: the blue light emitted by your cell phone screen suppresses the release of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle. This in turn can disrupt your body's natural circadian rhythm, making it harder for you to get a good night's sleep. And when you're not well-rested, your body is less efficient at burning calories and more likely to store excess fat.
So if you're serious about shedding some pounds, it might be time to put down the phone and pick up a book before bed instead.
How Blue Light from Screens Causes Weight Gain
We are constantly being told that we need to cut down on screen time for the sake of our mental health. But it turns out there is another good reason to limit your exposure to blue light from screens – it can cause weight gain.
Studies have shown that blue light suppresses the production of the hormone melatonin, which helps to regulate our sleep cycles. When we are exposed to blue light in the evening, it tricks our bodies into thinking it is still daytime and this can disrupt our natural sleep patterns.
But getting enough sleep is not only important for our mental wellbeing – it also plays a vital role in regulating our metabolism and hormones. When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies produce more of the stress hormone cortisol, which has been linked to increased appetite and cravings for sugary or fatty foods.
So if you’re trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, it’s important to limit your exposure to blue light from screens in the evening. This means avoiding using devices such as laptops, tablets and phones for at least an hour before bedtime. silenced phone alarms will help you stick to this rule!
Research into blue light from Smartphone use at bedtime and weight gain
We all know that using our smartphones in bed can be bad for our sleep. But did you know that it could also be behind your unwanted weight gain?
A new study has found that people who use their smartphones in bed are more likely to be overweight or obese than those who don’t. The research, which was conducted by the University of Queensland, looked at the smartphone habits of 1,800 people and found a link between late-night phone use and weight gain. The study also found that exposure to blue light from our smartphones can interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate our sleep cycle.
So if you’re using your phone before bed, be sure to turn down the brightness and put it away at least an hour before you go to sleep. If you want to lose weight, the best thing to do is put your phone away before bed.
That way, you won’t be tempted to snack or make bad food choices. You’ll also get a better night’s sleep, which is important for weight loss.
Bedtime smartphone strategies to support your weight loss goals
Most people are aware that getting a good night’s sleep is important for overall health, but few realize that sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain. While you sleep, your body releases hormones that regulate appetite and energy expenditure.
When you don’t get enough sleep, these hormones become imbalanced, leading to increased hunger and cravings for high-calorie foods. In addition to causing weight gain, insufficient sleep can also lead to other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and depression.
If you want to maintain a healthy weight, it’s important to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. To help ensure you get enough shut-eye, avoid caffeine late in the day, establish a regular bedtime routine, and create an environment in your bedroom that promotes relaxation. If you have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about possible solutions.
Just as important as getting enough sleep is controlling your cell phone use. Studies have shown that blue light from screens can disrupt the body’s natural sleep rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.To avoid this problem, limit your screen time in the evening and try not to use your devices for at least an hour before bedtime.
If you must use your phone after dark, consider investing in a pair of blue light blocking glasses or installing an app that filters out blue light.
Conclusion
We hope this article has shed some light on how your phone might be causing you to gain unwanted pounds and what you can do about it. By limiting time spent on your phone, engaging in mindful activities when online, and making better food choices, you can avoid gaining the dreaded “smartphone pounds” or even lose any excess weight you may have acquired from too much screen-time.
Remember that our physical health is equally as important as our mental well being so make sure to keep an eye on both – for a healthy, balanced lifestyle!
Sweet Dreamzz® is an advanced sleep support supplement which contains a proprietary synergy of effective nutrients to improve sleep cycles, including ..
Melatonin
10mg Melatonin in SweetDreamzz® helps regulate your natural sleep-wake cycle, has been shown to improve the quality of sleep and reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, making it an effective remedy for occasional sleeplessness. Melatonin also helps to regulate cortisol levels, which can reduce stress-related insomnia.
L-Tryptophan
In addition to melatonin, L-tryptophan is an amino acid that may be beneficial for sleep. It is a precursor to serotonin—a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of relaxation and well-being. When taken as a supplement, it's thought that L-tryptophan helps regulate serotonin levels, decreasing your time awake at night and improving restful sleep. Many people find that taking L-tryptophan before bedtime promotes calming effects and helps them drift off to sleep more easily.
Chamomile
Research suggests that chamomile may be helpful in improving sleep quality, increasing the amount of time spent asleep and reducing overnight awakenings. One study found that supplementing with chamomile resulted in improved nighttime sleep quality and reduced levels of anxiety. Taken together, melatonin, L-tryptophan, and chamomile may work together synergistically to improve your overall quality of sleep.
Lemon Balm
Recent studies have shown that taking a lemon balm extract for two weeks can significantly improve nighttime sleep, increase total sleep time, reduce sleep latency (the amount of time it takes to fall asleep) and decrease the number of night-time awakenings.
Taking lemon balm also showed improved daytime functioning with increased alertness during waking hours and reduced fatigue levels throughout the day.
Overall, these findings suggest that lemon balm may be an effective natural remedy for occasional sleeplessness due to its calming effects and ability to promote restful sleep.
L-taurine
L-taurine is an amino acid that may help improve sleep quality. Research suggests that it works by increasing the production of GABA, which helps regulate neurons in the brain. Studies show supplementing with L-taurine daily for one month greatly improved subjective sleep quality and reduced the amount of time it took to fall asleep.
St John's Wort, Skullcap & Ashwagandha
St. John’s Wort is known for its positive effects on depression, anxiety and other mood disorders, but also improves sleep quality. Several studies suggest that taking St. John’s Wort can help to reduce overall nighttime awakenings and improve sleep latency (the amount of time it takes to fall asleep).
Research suggests Skullcap may also promote relaxation and improve sleep quality by increasing the production of GABA in the brain. Studies have found that taking skullcap extracts can significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and increase total sleep time each night.
Ashwagandha is an Indian herb traditionally used in Ayurveda medicine for its calming and sedative properties. Research suggests that taking an ashwagandha supplement can not only improve sleep, but also reduce stress and anxiety levels which can have a positive effect on your overall mental health.