Khaberni - The smartphone has become the last thing many people see before sleep and the first thing they check upon waking up, whether the purpose is browsing social media, watching videos, or replying to messages, using the phone before sleep has become a daily habit for millions of people around the world.
But with the spread of this habit, questions have begun to emerge about its impact on sleep quality and concentration during the following day.
Although spending a few minutes on the phone before bedtime may seem trivial, some studies suggest that this habit can affect mental rest, attention, and the ability to concentrate, especially when it turns into a daily activity that extends into the late night hours.
The relationship between sleep and concentration
The brain needs good, regular sleep to perform its functions efficiently during the day. During sleep hours, important processes occur that are linked to information regulation, mental activity recovery, and improved learning and decision-making abilities.
When the body does not get enough sleep or when sleep quality declines, its effects can appear as:
Poor concentration.
Slow mental responsiveness.
Difficulty remembering information.
Decreased productivity.
Increased feelings of fatigue.
Therefore, any habit affecting sleep can indirectly reflect on concentration levels during the day.
How does the phone affect sleep?
When using the phone before sleep, the brain remains in a state of continuous activity due to the content the person is following, whether it is news, video clips, conversations, or posts on social media.
The quick switching between different apps and information keeps the mind alert instead of gradually preparing for sleep. Often, a person plans to use the phone for just a few minutes, only to be surprised that an hour or more has passed without feeling it.
This delay in bedtime can reduce the number of rest hours available for the body, which later affects focus and attention.
Mental stimulation before bedtime
The problem does not just lie in the light emitted from the screen but also in the nature of the content being used before sleep,
Some digital activities may increase brain activity, such as:
Following exciting news.
Watching fast-paced video clips.
Engaging in lengthy discussions or chats.
Following content that causes anxiety or stress.
These activities make the mind more alert, which may complicate the relaxation process and making it difficult to fall asleep easily.
The impact of lack of sleep on mental performance
When sleep is affected due to excessive use of the phone, the person may notice some changes in their mental performance the following day.
Among the most notable potential effects are:
Difficulty maintaining attention for long periods.
Increased distraction during work or study.
Decline in the ability to focus on details.
Feeling sleepy during the day.
Slow processing of information and decision-making.
These effects may be more apparent in students or people whose jobs depend on continuous mental concentration.
Does the phone also affect memory?
Concentration is closely linked to memory. When a person is tired or has not gotten good sleep, it becomes difficult for them to retain new information or retrieve it efficiently.
This may result in some individuals, after a night of staying up on the phone, feeling more forgetful or less capable of understanding information compared to days when they get sufficient sleep.
Why is it difficult to stop using the phone before bedtime?
This is due to several reasons, including easy access to content and its variety, in addition to the phone becoming a means for entertainment and communication at any time.
Some apps rely on methods that keep the user browsing for longer periods, such as:
Infinite scrolling of content.
Frequent notifications.
Continuous recommendations for videos and posts.
This makes it easy to lose track of time, especially in the evening hours.
How can the negative impact be reduced?
This does not necessarily mean stopping the use of the phone entirely, but the impact on sleep and concentration can be reduced through some simple habits:
Setting a time to stop using the phone before bedtime.
Activating night mode or reducing screen brightness.
Avoiding stress-inducing content in the evening hours.
Replacing browsing with reading a book or a quiet activity.
Keeping the phone away from the bed when sleeping.
These steps can help improve sleep quality and thereby support concentration during the following day.
