Ever snuggle up with your charging iPhone, dreaming of a perfectly juiced morning? Well, it turns out, this modern bedtime story could use a plot twist. Even the bigwigs like Apple are nudging us to rethink this habit, and here’s the lowdown on why.

The Unseen Bedfellow: EMF

Let’s chat about our invisible roommate, Electromagnetic Fields (EMF). These unseen forces are not the latest superheroes but are emitted by our dear smartphones. While the jury’s still out on a final verdict, studies hint that these fields might just be the party poopers of our sleep quality. Imagine inviting a friend over who ends up keeping you awake all night; that’s EMF for you.

Apple’s Nudge

When Apple, yes, the iPhone people, suggest we keep our phones off the bed, it’s like hearing your dad advise against late-night snacks — probably a good idea to listen. They’re hinting that perhaps, charging your phone right next to your head might not be the ticket to dreamland we hoped for.

Charging Smart, Sleeping Smarter

Ditch the snuggle up with your charging iPhone habit! Think of it as teaching an old dog new tricks, but for your phone. Using a battery pack cuts down on our invisible roommate, EMF, giving us a better shot at snagging some quality Zs.

Tips to Tuck Your Phone in for the Night

• Create a Cozy Spot for Your Phone… Far Away: A charging station outside the bedroom gives your phone its own bedtime routine, minus the bedtime story.
• Airplane Mode is Your Friend: Just like how we sometimes need a break, so does your phone. Flipping it to airplane mode cuts the chatter, reducing EMF emissions.
• Screen Time Before Bed? Think Again: Let’s keep the bedtime scrolling to a minimum. Maybe swap out the phone for a good old-fashioned book.

The Perks of a Good Night’s Sleep

Switching up how and where we charge our phones can lead to more than just a full battery. It’s about waking up feeling like you’ve actually slept, with more pep in your step and a smile ready for the day. It’s about ensuring our digital companions don’t get in the way of our health and happiness.

Wrapping It Up

So, while snuggling up with your charging iPhone might seem like a comfort, maybe it’s time to give it its own bed — preferably not in your bedroom. It’s not just about better sleep; it’s about making small changes for a healthier life in this digital age. Let’s keep the conversation going — got any tips or tricks for a better night’s sleep? Drop them in the comments! After all, we’re all in this digital journey together, trying to find that sweet spot between connected and content.

References:

1. “Electric & Magnetic Fields.” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/emf. Accessed 04 Feb. 2024.
2. Liu, Hui et al. “Occupational electromagnetic field exposures associated with sleep quality: a cross-sectional study.” PloS one vol. 9,10 e110825. 23 Oct. 2014, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0110825
3. Lewczuk, Bogdan et al. “Influence of electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields on the circadian system: current stage of knowledge.” BioMed research international vol. 2014 (2014): 169459. doi:10.1155/2014/169459
4. INTERPHONE Study Group. “Brain tumour risk in relation to mobile telephone use: results of the INTERPHONE international case-control study.” International journal of epidemiology vol. 39,3 (2010): 675-94. doi:10.1093/ije/dyq079
5. Grellier, James et al. “Potential health impacts of residential exposures to extremely low frequency magnetic fields in Europe.” Environment international vol. 62 (2014): 55-63. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2013.09.017

“Important Safety Information for iPhone.” Apple Support, support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iph301fc905/ios. Accessed 04 Feb. 2024.