Health and wellness are always on our minds here at Poosh, and we are constantly looking for ways to take that extra step to lead healthier lives. In this day and age, one paradox has become crystal clear: we know how terrible cell phone radiation, or EMF (electromagnetic frequency), is for our brains and bodies, yet we become more and more dependent on them for work and play.
It’s not so easy to keep your phone at arm’s distance during the day. Try arm’s distance times three—it’s said that three meters (about 10 feet) is the safest minimum distance. After all, cell phones were designed for portability and convenience. But since we’re ball-and-chained to them for most if not all our waking hours, we’ve got a firm reason to believe that we can give ourselves a little break from the constant onslaught of radiation. And that reason’s name is Simoné Laubscher.
Laubscher is a naturopath and founder/owner of Rejuv clinics in the UK and UAE. They view health from multiple facets—seven to be exact—via Laubscher’s seven pillars of wellness, with sleep being a key factor. Beauty rest isn’t just for your eye bags, ladies. It’s the most significant part of our bodies’ natural detoxification process, and it’s pretty simple. The more and the better you sleep, the more and the better you detox.
This goes for skin health, digestive health, aging, immunity, vitality, energy, hormones, cognition, and even thyroid and weight loss. And cell phones are getting in the way of that. When sleep is disrupted or poor quality, toxins build up in the body. This doesn’t mean a juice cleanse will give you a quick cure—this includes a buildup of toxicity in the brain, which is a reason for concern later down the road.
Laubscher explains that “during our sleep cycle, the brain secretes melatonin, and the level secreted depends on how dark your room is.” This doesn’t mean that blackout curtains are the answer. It’s not the moon and the stars or even fluorescent streetlights causing the most issues. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant that supports your blood-brain barrier, assisting in the elimination of daily toxins by absorbing them—including radiation from your cell phone.
“Mobile phones emit infrared light,” Laubscher continues, “which cannot be seen by the naked eye, but the pineal gland will register that light and secrete a very low level of melatonin, suppressing your immune system.” While blue light glasses are a great way to protect yourself from blue light pollution while using your devices after dark, you’re still affected by this damaging light source while you sleep—or try to, anyway.
Laubscher also points out that that some scientists believe the radiation and frequency energy emitted from our phones could increase the risk of brain cancer and tumors of the acoustic nerve, which is related to hearing and balance. Now, before you throw your phone in the garbage and retire to a life of solitude in the mountains, Laubscher gives us a few ways to counter this, if only at night.
Make sure your phone is turned off, or at least on airplane mode, in which your alarm will still work. Keeping your phone three meters away from your bed may not feasibly still be in your bedroom if you sleep in smaller quarters, but putting your phone just outside your room will still be within alarm earshot. This is a safe distance to prevent infrared light from disrupting your melatonin levels. “I also always have patients drink our Welleco sleep tea before bed, for the hops, valerian, lemon balm, and passionflower not only calm the nervous system and encourage a good nights sleep but they are also free radical scavengers great to combat any toxins built up in the day, especially from our environments.”
If you still need to be reached for emergencies in the middle of the night, you can opt for disabling your Wi-Fi and turning up your volume so you can hear the ring three meters away. Another big culprit of EMF is an electrical panel, so switch that off and unplug from the wall if there is one in your room or near your bed. And, we know it’s tough for men not to keep their phones in their pockets during the day, but everyone else should avoid resting your phones in your laps for long periods of time and keep it in your purse instead. Sweet dreams!
The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the interviewee only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.
