Eye strain is a productivity killer, apps can help
From ancient times, people have known that a good day’s work must be proceeded by a good night’s sleep. However, the high-tech screens on today’s smartphones, tablets, and computers are threatening to spoil our rest.
If you have ever suspected looking at the bright screen of your phone and tablet before bed effects your ability to drift off at night, then you were not wrong. A growing body of scientific research is now supporting your assumption. The standard blue light that emanates from these small screens disrupts the body’s natural process of sleep preparation in the evening hours.
Thankfully, technology is catching up with this problem. Several companies have created apps for your phone, tablet, or computer that automatically adjust your screen color, brightness, and temperature as the sun sets. These apps allow you to continue working on your laptop or to peruse the daily news on your tablet without damaging your chances of a great night’s sleep.
For your desktop and your iPhone
Perhaps the most popular of these apps is F.lux. This great application works on Windows, Linux, and Mac. There is also a version available for iPhones that have been jailbroken. F.lux has instructions for how to jailbreak your phone on their website. Once installed, F.lux will manage your device’s screen, automatically adjusting it as the day goes on.
If you do not want to jailbreak your iPhone, you can download a new app called Gamma Thingy. This simple, effective app is not in the Apple Store, but can be downloaded via GitHub. Gamma Thingy can then get to work protecting your sleep.
Android users can download the Twilight app onto their devices. Not to be confused with the movie series of the same name, this app lowers blue light exposure and helps you get ready for rest.
Get your sleep back on track
In a culture that increasingly relies on screen time for work, entertainment, and information, simply turning off your laptop or phone at 6 PM is not a reasonable option. However, the cost of lost productivity (not to mention potential health risks) due to poor sleep can hurt a professional’s efforts to grow his or her business. These screen-adjusting apps provide a high tech solution to a problem created by these high tech devices.
