In the good old days, people used to read a book before bed. However, in this day and age, bedtime habits have changed. People tend to read or watch video clips on their smartphones as a pre-bedtime ritual.

Do you know that playing on your phone before bed can affect your sleep?

The answer is, Yes, it can. This is because blue light from the mobile screen affects the production of melatonin, which in turn affects sleep.

Exposure to blue light at night for more than 2 hours can cause insomnia. This is because when exposed to blue light, our brains will mistake it for daylight, which is why many people have problems sleeping. As most may know, adequate sleep is extremely important to good overall health and optimal immunity.

Obesity and diabetes can occur when the body's metabolism do not work well when the body is not fully rested. Not getting enough sleep will worsen the metabolism. Staying up late, increases your chances of poor digestion, which may cause abdominal discomfort and also increase one’s chance of putting on weight.

Hypertension can also be caused by insufficient sleep. Sleep affects the blood pressure system and hormones. When blood pressure rises, it also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Acid reflux can be a problem when one does not get enough sleep. Our digestive system rests when we sleep, and vice versa when we do not get enough sleep. Therefore, lack of sleep can result in malfunction of the digestive system, which in turn causes acid reflux.

Retinal disorders are, of course, another side effect of prolonged screen time on devices such as mobile phones, tablets, or computers. They can severely affect the optic neurons. Some people like to play on their phones in the dark, and if this doesn’t stop, it may cause severe eye deterioration.

Migraine can be caused by regular use of mobile phones in the dark or late at night. Blue light triggers migraines. These mobile devices cause eye strain, which can eventually lead to migraines.

Memory system malfunction can also be caused by lack of sleep. Brain function and memory systems would be the front-line casualties, and the effects can take a serious toll on the individual. He or she can start to forget things or have brain function slow down.

There are many other diseases or disorders that can occur due to lack of rest or proper sleep. If one continues with his or her mobile play habits before bedtime, he or she can possibly trigger chronic health issues. Hence, create the right atmosphere for your body to rest when you are ready for bed and put your mobile devices away.