Why Does Screen Time Make Us Tired?

What Happens?

When you stare at a bright phone or tablet for too long, your brain gets tired. It is not just because your eyes hurt. The light from the screen tricks your body into thinking it is still daytime.

Why Do I Feel Tired?

Your body makes a special helper chemical called melatonin to tell you when to sleep. Bright lights, especially blue ones like those in screens, stop melatonin from working well. So even if you are sleepy, your brain says 'No way! We have work to do.'

The Fix

To feel better, try turning down the brightness or using night mode on your devices. This lets your body prepare for rest sooner. It is like giving your eyes and brain a little break from the bright party.

Take the quiz →

Examples

  1. You feel sleepy while playing video games because the bright lights tell your brain it is still time to play.
  2. Your phone's blue light keeps you awake at night, making it hard to fall asleep after reading stories.
  3. Staring at a tablet makes your eyes and brain tired, like running a little race without moving your feet.

Ask a question

See also

Discussion

Recent activity