Every single one of you is probably stuck at home most of the time. Just imagine yourself sitting on a chair while staring blankly at the screen. Oh wait, you don’t need to imagine, do you? Remember a time when you were constantly checking the time over and over again until FINALLY your classes end and the school day is over. With occasional technical difficulties here and there, you manage to adjust your daily routine. But how much time do you spend on taking care of yourself?

     Lets see… you have Zoom meetings, Google Meets, independent assignments (or you can  say homework), and after school clubs. You also use your device for social media, to play games, or to binge watch Netflix shows. All of this time staring at your screen can be tiresome. Managing your time on these devices can be beneficial when it comes to your sleep schedule. According to an article called, How Electronics Affect Sleep, found on SleepFoundation.org, written by Danielle Pacheco, she states that using electronic devices in the evening will delay your circadian rhythm and it will be harder to sleep. ¨Here’s what happens: Using TVs, tablets, smartphones, laptops, or other electronic devices before bed delays your body’s internal clock (a.k.a., your circadian rhythm), suppresses the release of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin, and makes it more difficult to fall asleep.¨ Try not to use your phone right before you go to bed.

     Looking at blue light off your phone may distrust your sleep, but will it harm your vision? The answer is no. Your phone will not make you blind. According to Will Blue Light From Electronic Devices Increase Of Macular Degeneration And Blindness?, found on www.health.harvard.edu, written by David Ramsey, he states that blue light will not cause you to go blind but it can disrupt your sleep cycle. ¨Blue light from electronic devices is not going to increase the risk of macular degeneration or harm any other part of the eye. However, the use of these devices may disrupt sleep or disturb other aspects of your health or circadian rhythm.¨ Macular degeneration is an eye disease where the small portion of your retina called the macula wears down over time.

     When it comes to sleeping, does using your electronic device really keep you awake? One 10th grader claims that using their phone at night helps them sleep. ¨…but when I have difficulty sleeping, I go on my phone and watch videos.¨ the student says. However, social media can impacts your sleep in other ways besides adjusting your circadian rhythm. You may feel the urge to check your phone to see what your friends are up too.

     How about your daily dose of physical activity? How has it affected how much time you spend outside? Some students remain too busy with homework, even on the weekends. ¨Distant learning makes it harder for me to go outside because teachers give us a lot more work than they did when we were at school, occupying my time way more than before,¨ said another 10th grader. ¨I´ve only managed to spend time outside on the weekends and that’s if I don´t have too much homework,¨ said an 11th grader.  Manage your time wisely. You can turn off notifications for your social media apps to not get distracted while doing your homework. ¨I get distracted by all the influence on social media.¨ a 10th grader said. You can also set up a timer/alarm and set a time limit on how long you use your phone as suggested by another tenth grader. ¨I set up timers/alarms that help me set a limit on the amount of time I spend on my phone or any other device.¨ the student said. Use the method that works best for you.

    That being said, check your well being every so often. It is important now and has always been important. Go get a good night’s rest. Don´t forget, you have to get up before 8:45. Stand up from that chair of yours and go stretch a little.