Screen, stress and bad sleep: what's the connection?
In 2022, a large proportion of society owns one or more electronic devices. While very entertaining, our screens have unfortunately become harmful to our health.
In this era of virtual entertainment, it has become customary to stay up late in front of a screen. Many people turn to their electronic device to relax and get away from their worries. While we can feel a relaxing effect watching TV, scrolling through social media or playing an on-line game, it's actually the opposite for the nervous system.
Your screen can be harmful even on the night mode
Looking at a screen generates physiological and psychological stimulation, in addition to over-activating cognitive processes. Even with a blue light filter, the pituitary gland is stimulated, disrupting the normal process of falling asleep.
In other words, the brightness that comes from your screen tricks your body into thinking that it's daytime. Since the body's sleep-wake cycle is very closely linked to natural light, it relies on it to know when to start the process of falling asleep. By looking at a light, such as the one coming from a screen, your nervous system will remain alert and wide awake. This effect can certainly be reduced by activating the night mode of your device, but the fact remains that the brightness of your screen will always be misleading.
In addition to the effects caused by the brightness of the screen, the content viewed may also have an influence on your nervous system.
If your nervous system is stimulated, by watching something that requires great concentration, that keeps you alert or that makes you feel all kinds of emotions for example, cortisol secretion will be on the rise while melatonin secretion will decrease. This curve occurs in the morning to wake you up and stimulate your body's awareness. So, too much cortisol and not enough melatonin, the sleep cycle is messed up, falling asleep is delayed and nocturnal awakenings are increased.
The general rule to promote a good night's sleep remains no screen at least one hour before going to bed. A good old book with paper pages and dim warm lighting is one of the winning solutions for deep sleep.
Natural supplements for better sleep
Sleep disorders are not solely caused by screens. Many people suffered from insomnia, difficulty falling asleep or any other sleep disorder long before the arrival of electronic devices. It is quite possible that, despite turning off your screen early, you still won't be able to get a good night's sleep. We therefore suggest that you consider natural products that are known for benefiting sleep.
Natural Factors offers a range of natural supplements designed to help you get restful sleep. There are several formulas acting on the metabolic pathway that allows the conversion of melatonin, without which you will accumulate the hours of nocturnal awakening.
Improve serotonin production
Among these supplements, we can count on the 5-HTP formula which offers 50 mg or 100 mg of activated tryptophan. 5-HTP will support the production of serotonin, a precursor to melatonin.
Fall asleep faster
If your concern is mainly falling asleep, the Magnesium Citrate powder formula offers a generous dose of 300 mg of the precious mineral to help you fall asleep faster.
Better calmness, better sleep
Too agitated to close your eyes? GABA might be a good ally for you. Natural Factors' GABA formula in chewable tablets or capsules can help calm your nervous system and therefore induce sleep.
Minimize nocturnal awakening
For frequent awakenings, Natural Factors offers Mental Calm. It's composed of the amino acid L-theanine which promotes the production of GABA and helps reduce nighttime awakenings.
Promote all-around better sleep
If you suffer from both difficulty falling asleep and frequent awakenings, the Tranquil Sleep formula is more complete. It combines L-theanine, 5-HTP and melatonin. Tranquil Sleep is available in regular, extra-strength and chewable tablets. The latter has the advantage of allowing you to feel its benefits quicker.
The take-away message
Good sleep is essential for good health and is especially essential for functioning well in your day-to-day life. Before going to bed, promote calm and relaxation of your body and your nervous system through healthy habits and effective natural supplements adapted to your needs. For more information on the subject, contact one of our naturopaths, they will be happy to answer your questions.
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