Carly Kennedy, Wellness & Health Management Specialist

Many people look at their phone before they go to sleep at night, and first thing in the morning when they wake up. If you are guilty to doing this as well, it might be a habit to consider kicking! According to the Cleveland Clinic, the light these smartphones, laptops and tablets emit, known as blue light, inhibits your body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy. Putting your electronic devices away at least a couple of hours before getting some zzz’s has become as essential for good sleep as avoiding caffeine or alcohol in the evening hours. Many phones and tablets now have the ability to dim the brightness that the screen gives off, so if you do have to be up late finishing work or catching up on reading the news, consider turning on the “night shift” or “red shift” option to protect your eyes and allow your body to ease into going to sleep.