As a member of the Guest Care team at Z Salon and Spa, one of the first things I ask our spa clients to do upon arriving is silence their cell phones and the response I often receive is, “Gladly.”
In fact, many guests are practically giddy as they switch their devices off. The sense of relief is palpable. It’s a phenomenon I’ve observed time and time again, and it’s gotten me thinking: Why do we need someone else’s permission to disconnect for awhile?
Having the world in your pocket is an amazing thing, but it can easily become intrusive. Mounting research suggests that our tech-heavy lifestyle is taking a very real toll on our health.
A prime example is this: sleep scientists have observed that blue light emitted from electronic screens acts as a powerful melatonin suppressant, which is one of the primary hormones responsible for helping you fall (and stay) asleep.
To avoid disrupting your sleep cycle, researchers recommend minimizing blue light exposure during two-to-three hours before bedtime. This means tapering off time spent in the vicinity of lighted devices, because even passive exposure can suppress melatonin.
However, the crucial time to eliminate blue light exposure completely is during the 30 minutes prior to lights-out. This is when your brain’s pineal gland should be ramping up its melatonin secretions to prepare your body for a full night’s rest.
Don’t wait for a day at the spa to power down. If you’re feeling electronic fatigue, it’s likely a sign that your brain needs a break. If you’re feeling tense and think a spa day would help you relax, schedule a massage with us today!
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