Outsmart the invisible tiredness trigger

Cellphones and gadgets emit electromagnetic fields that can slow thyroid and brain function, drain energy and up headache risk. To avoid them…

Hold your cellphone this way

Keeping your phone 1 inch away from your ear will cut your electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure by 75%—and a 2-inch gap will drop your exposure to zero, say University of Utah researchers. Also smart: Reduce EMFS by keeping your phone on airplane mode when possible and at least 1 foot away from you when you can’t.

Give your microwave space

Microwaves blast food with EMF radiation, and if your microwave’s door seals are damaged or worn, EMFS can leak out. The good news: Two studies suggest that microwave EMFS can’t travel very far— standing just 2 feet away while your microwave is running cuts your exposure by 99%. Adds study author Zeyad Alhekail, PH.D., keeping your microwave’s door seal clean so it can shut tightly is a simple way to prevent leaks.

Rethink how you recharge

You’d think the best place for a laptop would be, well, your lap… but if your computer is charging, Italian researchers say you should set it somewhere else. Their study proves that when laptops are running on battery power, they release modest amounts of EMFS, but when plugged into chargers, their EMF emission shoots up to four times higher than what’s considered safe for close contact.

Say goodnight to your router

Switch off your Wi-fi router at night, and your EMF exposure will drop by up to 33%, say Australian researchers. And you won’t be inconvenienced because you’ll be snoozing! Ann Louise Gittleman, PH.D., author of Zapped, says this simple trick will also help you sleep more deeply— often from the very first night— because EMFS tamp down your brain’s production of sleep-inducing melatonin.