Does “Night Shift” Mode on my Phone Really Work to Help Me Sleep Better?

One of the tips I give people trying to improve their sleep is to set aside screens before bed. Studies have shown that the blue light emitted from our laptops, phones, and TVs interferes with melatonin production in our bodies. To counteract this, these devices have introduced “night modes” where they change the light tint to orange to filter out the blue light. While the intention is nice, the truth is, most insomnia issues arise from factors such as stress, anxiety, and inadequate sleep hygiene rather than over exposure to blue light. Studies are finding that it’s more the WHAT you’re doing with your screen in bed that is poorly affecting sleep. When you’re reading political commentary or debating people on Facebook while lying in bed before sleep, your brain will be emotionally stimulated, which is much more likely to impact sleep onset and overall quality. Putting a blue light filter on your screen doesn’t overcome the stimulation you’re giving your brain. While the night mode/night light feature CAN be easier on the eyes, it’s not as likely to help you sleep better than if you were able to set aside the screen before bed.