Why You Shouldn’t Sleep With Your Cellphone Next To You

In today’s connected world it isn’t rare to keep your cellphone at your side throughout the entire day. But for many it doesn’t end there. They also keep their cellphones within arm’s reach when they sleep.

In fact, sleeping with your phone may already be the norm.

If this sounds like you, you may be surprised to hear that this can be extremely dangerous for your health.

Health Issues of Sleeping With Your Phone

In an effort the reduce exposure to radio frequency (RF) energy, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), released guidelines on healthier cellphone use.

Not surprisingly, they warn, “don’t sleep with your phone in your bed or near your head. Unless the phone is off or in airplane mode, keep it at least a few feet away from your bed.”

While it’s too early to reach conclusions, the research suggests that high, long-term cellphone usage might lead to brain cancer, headaches, and memory issues among other health effects, says the CDPH.

Additional Risks

Your health isn’t the only thing at risk when you put your phone near your pillow. In 2014, a teenager woke up to the smell of smoke, it didn’t take long to notice that the fire was coming from the … bed. The mattress and sheet caught fire from the cellphone conveniently placed under the pillow before settling down for a peaceful night.

Another issue is the blue light the phone emits, which can interfere with your sleep. Looking at your phone’s LCD screen may send your brain a message that it’s daytime and you shouldn’t be producing melatonin to help you sleep right now. Little does your brain know that you’re just checking in one last time before calling it a night.

Do you sleep with your cellphone?

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