Technological insomnia is becoming increasingly common in today’s society. It is a sleep disorder linked to technology. Due to being on a mobile phone, computer, or tablet, the person finds it difficult to fall asleep. For many individuals, the same situation repeats itself: going to bed, but first, spending some time on the phone. Hardly being aware of it, it is one of the worst decisions we can make. Absolute control is lost by watching videos, photos, searching for things on the Internet… And, almost without realizing it, it gets very late. Worst of all, when you finally decide it is the definitive moment to put the phone away and go to sleep, you cannot. What causes this phenomenon? What can be done to remedy it? We tell you at CCAdicciones.
CCAdicciones is a center specialized in the disease of addiction and offers personalized treatment to overcome all types of addictions, whether substance-based or behavioral, such as the case of addiction to new technologies.
Mobile phones and insomnia
Technology does not let us sleep well because it makes it difficult for us to sleep. It affects both quality and quantity. Screens emit a blue light that has an effect on our body that inhibits the release of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep cycle. If we are checking our phones just before going to sleep, it will be harmful because it will hinder melatonin production and make it harder to fall asleep. Due to the light emitted by these devices, the brain interprets that it is still daytime, even if we are using it at night before going to sleep. Thus, it overstimulates it and prevents proper sleep.
Furthermore, a technology addict sleeps less because they dedicate fewer hours to sleep, as they prioritize being on their mobile device. There are applications that are already designed for us to spend hours and hours checking them, such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube videos… In the virtual world, we find an infinite amount of content.
How to avoid technological insomnia?
Avoiding technological insomnia is possible. There are some recommendations to prevent technology from interfering with our rest. It is advisable not to have any technological devices in the room where we sleep, as we are affected not only by the blue light these devices emit but also by the LED lights they produce. It is also recommended to stop using them two hours before going to sleep. In this way, our brain can completely disconnect by performing other activities that have nothing to do with technology.
Finally, you can activate the filters that devices come with to avoid blue light from screens to minimize negative health effects and activate the night mode on phones so that the light is not as powerful.
Prevention: the key factor
To avoid technological insomnia, it is important to anticipate addiction to new technologies in order to use them correctly. There are small actions we can take that will help avoid falling into the compulsive use of technological devices: silencing notifications so as not to be constantly checking, short trips out of the house without a phone, restricting usage hours, etc.
How does addiction to new technologies affect us?
Nomophobia is the irrational fear of not having a mobile phone. It comes from the term “no-mobile-phone-phobia”. Misuse of technology can lead to abuse and addiction. Some of the most common effects it produces are the following:
- Lack of concentration and decreased memory
- Social isolation that harms the person’s social circle and all their social relationships because they are focused on the virtual world
- Physical problems, such as headaches, back pain, or eye strain due to spending so many hours looking at a screen and in the same posture
- Apathy and aggressiveness
- Neglect of obligations and responsibilities. The priority is spending time on the Internet, thus setting aside the person’s daily tasks, whether work-related, academic, or even aspects pertaining to private life.
Treatment for addiction to new technologies
In the case of technology addiction, it is essential to recognize the dependency. In fact, it is the first step to overcoming this disorder. Identifying and certifying that you suffer from an addiction to mobile phones, social networks, or being connected to the internet is necessary because if we do not identify ourselves as addicts and think that the use we are giving to technology is “normal,” we will not be aware of the disorder, we will not recognize ourselves as addicts, and, consequently, we will not seek a solution.
It is common to have doubts about addiction to new technologies. Firstly, because behavioral addictions are always harder to detect and it takes longer to ask for help. It is often thought that because no substance is consumed, they are less harmful, but this is a myth. Secondly, because technology has high availability and a low perception of risk. Almost everyone has access to technology and not only that, but it is also part of daily life. Erroneously, it is believed that something so widespread and generalized cannot lead to such negative effects.
Treatment for this type of addiction is carried out with personalized monitoring and a very high intensity of therapy. The goal is for the patient to regain total control of their life. In a first free visit, we will advise you on the type of personalized treatment to follow to quit addiction to new technologies.
Ask for help NOW
The time to ask for help is now. It should not be left for later. The sooner professional help is requested to start treatment, the easier the recovery process will be. So, do not hesitate and get in contact with us. You can call us on our mobile phone available 24 hours a day for when you need us most: 617 200 882. We are always at your disposal, regardless of the day or time. Our priority is you.
