Archive · 9 Dec 2025
Neurologist Warns: Phones Near Head May Disrupt Sleep
A doctor who studies the brain says that keeping your phone near your head while sleeping might be confusing your brain's sleep signals.
The light from the phone and the things you do on it, like checking messages or scrolling, can make it harder for your brain to relax and go to sleep.
This can make you feel tired, grumpy, and have trouble focusing the next day.
The doctor suggests not using your phone for at least an hour or two before bed and keeping it out of your bedroom to help you sleep better.
Other tips include eating dinner early, exercising during the day, and doing calming activities before bed.
Keeping phones near the head during sleep disrupts the body's natural sleep cycle and affects physical health, emotional balance, and brain function.
Blue light from screens interferes with melatonin production, tricking the brain into thinking it's still daytime.
A 2025 study found that using screens before bed increases the chance of poor sleep quality by 33% and reduces sleep duration by about 8 minutes.
Late-night phone use stimulates the brain, delaying sleep and leading to fragmented, non-restful sleep.
Experts recommend reducing screen time before bed, keeping phones out of the bedroom, and practicing good sleep hygiene for better sleep quality.
- Who
- Dr. Jyoti Bala Sharma, Director of Neurology at Fortis Noida
- What
- Keeping phones near the head during sleep may disrupt the body's natural sleep cycle
- When
- The issue is relevant to current digital lifestyles, with a 2025 study cited
- Where
- The advice is applicable globally, with the expert based in Noida, India
- Why
- Phone use at night interferes with melatonin production and disrupts the circadian rhythm, leading to poor sleep quality and various health issues
- Expert
- Dr. Jyoti Bala Sharma, Director of Neurology at Fortis Noida
- Impact of Blue Light
- Interferes with melatonin production, signaling the brain it's still daytime
- Study Findings
- 33% higher chance of poor sleep quality for those using screens before bed
- Recommended Screen-Free Time
- 1-2 hours before sleeping
- Sleep Benefits
- Brain recovery, toxin clearance, emotion stabilization, memory formation
- Alternative Nighttime Activities
- Reading, calming music, relaxation techniques
- Exercise Recommendation
- 30-45 minutes daily, avoiding vigorous workouts late at night
