Why your phone shouldn't be in the bedroom

At a time when smartphones have become an inseparable part of our lives, it is tempting to use them as alarms. But starting the day with your phone can have negative consequences for our mental and physical well-being. Here we take a closer look at why it is a bad idea to use your mobile phone as an alarm.

1. Stressful awakening

When you wake up to the sound of your phone, it can often result in a stressful start to the day. The alarm can feel overwhelming, especially if you have to rush up. According to a study from Sleep Medicine being woken up by a sharp alarm can increase stress levels and create a sense of anxiety, affecting your ability to think clearly.

2. Abundance of information

The first thing many people do when they turn off the alarm is check their phone. This can lead to an abundance of information and distractions. An article from Psychological Science point out that this can lead to cognitive overload, where the brain is bombarded with tasks and social messages from the morning hours. This creates a feeling of overwhelm and makes it difficult to focus on the tasks ahead.

3. Sleep disturbances

Using the mobile phone before bed and as an alarm can also disturb your sleep quality. Blue light from the screen suppresses melatonin production, a hormone essential for regulating our sleep cycle. Research from Harvard Health shows that this kind of light can delay sleep onset and impair sleep quality, resulting in you feeling more tired when you wake up.

4. Lack of focus

When you wake up with your phone, you can quickly be drawn into a flood of notifications and social media, which can disrupt your mental state. According to research published in Journal of Experimental Psychology this can cause a lack of focus, making it harder to get a productive start to the day.

5. Worse mood

Mornings are a time when many of us need to set our minds for a new day. Waking up to a phone can negatively affect your mood. According to a study from The Journal of Happiness Studies individuals who wake up to stressful stimuli tend to report lower satisfaction with their lives and more anxiety.

6. Social isolation

The use of mobile phones as alarms can also lead to a form of social isolation. Checking your phone first thing in the day can create a routine where you prioritize digital interactions over personal connections. This can have a long-term effect on your social life and mental health.

Conclusion

Using your mobile as an alarm may seem practical, but the negative consequences for stress levels, sleep quality, focus and mood are significant. By leaving the mobile out of the bedroom, you can give yourself the opportunity for a more calm and focused start to the day.

So consider investing in an alarm clock and leaving your phone in the living room. Your morning routine – and your mental well-being – will thank you for it.

Sources:

1. Sleep Medicine. (2015). Impact of Mobile Devices on Sleep Quality .
2. Psychological Science. (2014). Cognitive Overload and Morning Stress .
3. Harvard Health. (2012). The Importance of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms .
4. Journal of Experimental Psychology. (2019). Distraction in the Morning: A Cognitive Perspective .
5. The Journal of Happiness Studies. (2018). Stress, Well-Being, and Daily Life .