Keep your sleep cycle in check.

Do you have a habit of watching TV in bed late at night? Or perhaps you enjoy catching up on social media, surfing the net on your tablet, or responding to all important emails before going to sleep.

Even though this may seem like a perfect way for you to unwind, what you need to understand is that these electronic devices can be responsible for wrecking your sleep.

Studies show that nine in ten Americans use an electronic device in the hour before they go to sleep, with television being the most popular choice. It also suggests that 61% of the respondents used their laptops or computers regularly during the evening.

So, what's the problem?

It turns out that our body's natural sleep wake-cycle is regulated by light. Tablets, television, and smartphone screens emit bright blue light, which can interfere with our sleep-wake cycle and cause problems like insomnia.

This blue light is responsible for slowing down the production of melatonin in our body which is a hormone that tells our brain it's time to go to bed. However, what if you need to use a computer, smartphone, or watch TV in the evening?

One option is to wear blue light filter glasses designed to block the blue light wavelengths from entering your eyes. They do not just help with insomnia but are also a cheap and safer alternative to sleeping pills.

Using such glasses may provide you with various other health benefits such as a lower risk of muscular degeneration and reduced eyestrain.

If you wish to give this a try, be sure you ask a blue-blocking glasses dealer to find you a pair that blocks out as much blue light as possible and feels comfortable to wear so that you use them regularly.