by Anne Noordsy

According to recent research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, frequent social media use on mobile devices may be interrupting your precious sleep hours. It’s easy to lay down in bed at the end of a long day and scroll through your Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook feeds without giving it a second thought. However, this mindless task may lead to a disturbed sleep pattern.

We are living in a time when everyone is connected. It seems like everywhere you go, at least every other person has their head down because they are looking at their iPhone or other smartphone. When you check your social media apps frequently throughout the day, this may have more of an impact than you would think. Unfortunately, the impact is negative.

I often find that when I am struggling to fall asleep, I will go to my phone and open up either Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest to focus on something else. It can be difficult at the end of the work day to “wind down” and simply not look at your phone. However, being exposed to the light from your phone’s screen and the activity it requires for your brain to process information, keeps you more awake.

Jessica C. Levenson, a researcher in the study, said, “Difficulty sleeping may lead to increased use of social media, which may in turn lead to more problems sleeping. This cycle may be particularly problematic with social media because many forms involve interactive screen time that is stimulating and rewarding and, therefore, potentially detrimental to sleep”.

There are negative consequences from frequent use of social media such as disturbed sleep. When our sleep is interrupted, we lose focus, mental sharpness, and even the ability to communicate properly. Having a good night’s sleep is especially important when it comes to being prepared for the work day.

At Knock Media, social media is obviously very important to us. The utilization of social media has many benefits such as expressing ourselves and strengthening relationships. Here at Knock Media, we utilize digital technology such as filming, social media expression, and professional development through LinkedIn to advance our business and assist our clients. These outlets are significant to be successful in the digital market. We encourage you to be active in the digital realm- but make sure you’ve gotten a good night’s sleep first!