- Article by Malte Mansholt
- Reading Time: ~2 Mins
Switching off smartphones at night advisable, not solely because of radiation concerns. - Turning off your smartphone at night might be advisable, not primarily due to radiation concerns, but more for battery conservation and to avoid unnecessary distractions.
We've all struggled to resist the lure of our smartphones as bedtime approaches. But it's more than just a question of radiation – there are concrete benefits to powering off your phone at night. Here's why.
Say Goodnight to Your Smartphone
Radiation is indeed a concern. Your phone emits radiation whenever it's on, whether you're awake or asleep. It searches for updates, listens for messages, and uploads backups. However, long-term studies by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) found no evidence of harmful effects from smartphone radiation. Still, it's always better to avoid radiation when possible.
Nudge Yourself Out of Device Dependence
The psychological aspect is far more important: if your phone is nearby, it's tough to resist the temptation to check it. A study from the University of Paderborn revealed that even having the phone on the table made participants anxious! This had nothing to do with phone addiction and was just about general reduced attention.
This impact carries over to your bedside table. If you wake up and your phone is in sight, you're more likely to reach for it instead of taking a moment to ease into your day. Turning it off reduces this temptation.
Another benefit: if you start your day with your phone powered off, you create a small pause before checking messages and diving into your day. This gives your brain a little extra time to wake up before you have to engage with the world.
Technical Perks of Powering Down
Smartphones are merely mini computers, and like all electronic devices, they need to be restarted occasionally. Over time, the complex interactions between the operating system and various apps can cause glitches. A fresh start every day can prevent many potential problems. Plus, necessary security updates can be installed.
There's also the matter of power consumption. Every minute your phone is on, it's using battery power – even when set to airplane mode. Just maintaining the network connection, downloading updates, and so on can drain your battery by double digits overnight. Turning it off completely saves this power consumption.
This not only saves battery life for the day but also affects the device's lifespan. Every charge cycle stresses the battery, causing it to lose capacity over time. If your phone doesn't waste power at night and you don't have to charge it as often, the battery has an easier life in the long run.
Wrap up: Switching off your smartphone before sleep offers psychological, technical, and battery life benefits. With less stress, better focus, and a longer-lived phone, why not give it a try?
The Commission is also proposing to extend the scope of the programme to include gadgets such as smartphones and various technology devices due to the potential benefits of powering them off during the night. Following this practice could help reduce device dependence, maintain focus, save battery life, and ultimately increase the lifespan of the electronics.
