Sleep Disruption
This same blue spectrum light that is damaging to our eyesight may also be preventing us from getting the rest and recharge we need at night. Blue spectrum light, which is also emitted by TVs, suppresses the brain’s natural release of melatonin, the hormone that helps our bodies regulate sleep and wake cycles.
Easy iFixes
Ideally, you should turn off your electronics an hour before bedtime to give your body a chance to amp up the melatonin. However, if you can’t resist staying plugged in with what little free time you have, buy a pair of orange-tinted glasses, which block blue spectrum light and prevent it from blocking melatonin production.
iFilth
Did you know that your smartphone is probably carrying around 10 times as many germs as those currently taking up residence in your toilet? According to a study by the University of Arizona, this creepy fact can be attributed to our cell phone behaviors. We take our phones with us everywhere we go, and set them down on filthy surfaces, touch them without washing our hands, and then forget to wipe them down. Per the study: “While toilets tend to get cleaned frequently, because people associate the bathroom with germs, cellphones and other commonly handled objects — like remote controls — are often left out of the cleaning routine.”
Easy iFixes
Clean your phone with antibacterial wipes frequently. Be mindful of where you set your phone, and wash your hands before you handle it. You really don’t need to check how many Facebook likes your last photo got before stepping out of the public restroom, after all.