We’ve all been there—lying in bed, scrolling through Instagram or binging YouTube shorts, only to glance at the clock and realise it’s 3AM, and your brain is wide awake? Well, the problem lies with your phone’s screen.
Most digital screens emit blue light, which messes with your body’s natural sleep-wake rhythm, also known as your circadian rhythm. It tricks your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, making it harder to fall asleep and hurting your overall sleep quality.
Night Mode is more than just a warm filter
That’s where Night Mode steps in. Most smartphones, tablets, and even laptops now come with a built-in Night Mode or Night Shift setting. What it does is simple—it shifts your screen’s colour tone to warmer hues, reducing the amount of blue light it emits. This tweak might seem minor, but it can have a major impact on your eye comfort and sleep cycle. It’s kind of like turning down the overhead lights before bed—easier on the eyes, and your brain starts to chill out too.
It’s not just about sleep—it’s about your screen habits
Night Mode isn’t only useful for sleep. If you’re someone who works late, studies after dark, or loves winding down with a movie in bed, it can help reduce eye strain and even save a bit of battery life.
Most phones let you customise Night Mode—set it to turn on automatically at sunset, adjust the colour temperature to your liking, or dim the brightness without killing your display quality.
A small change with real results
Research shows that reducing blue light exposure at night helps your body produce more melatonin, the hormone that helps you feel sleepy. So while Night Mode might not be a magic fix, it’s a great step in the right direction. Pair it with a little digital downtime before bed, and you might just start waking up feeling more refreshed.
TL;DR? Turn on Night Mode. Your eyes—and your sleep schedule—will thank you.
But, while Night Mode can help reduce blue light exposure, it's also beneficial to limit screen time before bed and create a relaxing bedtime routine for optimal sleep quality.
