Beware of the phone near the pillow...it usually steals your sleep and warns of charging

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Many phone users place it near or under the pillow, while others leave it on the bedside table, to check a message, wait for a call, or wake up to an alarm clock.

However, keeping the phone in hand all night may make sleep vulnerable to interruption, and prolong browsing at the expense of rest.

Dr. Tushar Tayal, associate director of the Department of Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital in Gurugram, India, warned that the most prominent risks related to using the phone before sleep are related to nighttime alerts, and charging the device in a way that prevents its heat from dissipating.

As for the belief that sleeping next to the phone causes cancer, it has not been proven by current scientific evidence. Research has not shown a causal relationship between the use of mobile phones and infection with the disease, while the effects of long-term exposure continue to be studied.

Tayal explained that browsing the phone may delay the feeling of sleepiness; The blue light emitted from the screen can inhibit the secretion of melatonin, which is the hormone that regulates sleep and wakefulness, although the effect varies according to the brightness of the light and the duration and timing of exposure.

Messages and videos also keep the mind engaged, even when the lights are dimmed. Therefore, it is recommended to leave the phone 30 to 60 minutes before bed.

As for “Night Mode”, it may reduce blue light, but it does not eliminate the effect of stimulating content.

Even after the screen is turned off, interruptions may continue; Calls, vibrations, and alerts may wake the sleeper or cause short interruptions that he does not remember in the morning, but they leave their impact in the form of fatigue, irritability, and poor concentration during the day.

Also, the proximity of the phone encourages checking messages when waking up at night. To avoid this, it is best to activate “Do Not Disturb”, exclude essential calls, and keep the device away from the pillow.

In addition, phones emit non-ionizing radio frequencies, which, unlike X-rays, do not have enough energy to directly damage DNA.

Although the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies these fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” the classification does not prove that they cause cancer.

Also, a large study published in 2024 did not find an increase in the risk of brain tumors in those who spent more time on calls.

On the other hand, charging the phone under the pillow or covers involves immediate danger; Heat may be trapped, especially with a damaged battery, defective charger, or damaged cable, which may cause burns or fire.

Therefore, it should be charged on a hard, flat, well-ventilated surface, away from bedding, using compatible accessories and following the manufacturer's instructions.

A work message or upsetting news may be enough to bring back the day's stress before bed. Comparisons via social media and the feeling of the necessity of immediate response may also increase tension and delay relaxation.

To reduce this, it is preferable to set a time to end browsing, and replace it by reading a book, listening to calm content, or practicing slow breathing.

Note that it is not necessary to move it to another room; It can be placed on a fixed table away from the pillow, disabling unnecessary alerts, avoiding browsing it before bed or charging it under the covers.