you should know

I was thinking this evening, and I thought about how I performed academically when I was still with my parents until I moved out independently to study in my 300 level. I noticed a significant difference in my academic performance, and now I could understand why. Back then, while I was living with my parents and siblings, I usually turned off the light at night before sleep. Most times, I drank coffee in the morning. However, after I moved out, I cut down on my coffee intake, and there was usually light—my light was on 24/7. I hadn’t known that this was affecting me, particularly my memory consolidation and retention, until I read an article recently about how these little things can impact memory retention and cognitive functions.

In addition to the insights I gained from the article, I realized that exposure to blue screens also significantly impacted cognitive function. I became increasingly aware of how much time I used to spend on my phone and other screens, prompting me to dive deeper into this topic. I wanted to enlighten others about the myriad of ways these small factors can affect memory and overall physiological functions.

First and foremost, exposure to blue light interferes with our sleep patterns. This disruption not only hampers our ability to fall asleep but also disturbs our circadian rhythms during the night. As a result, this affects memory retention. Interestingly, while coffee can enhance brain retention to some extent, it is also crucial to recognize the importance of quality sleep and the darkness we experience during that rest.

Understanding these connections has been enlightening, and I think it’s vital for everyone to learn this and keep it in mind.