Radiation: An invisible danger? Discover the facts and myths.

Radiation... The invisible enemy

Radiation is all around us—it comes from our smartphones, Wi-Fi routers, and even LED lights. But what effect does all this radiation actually have on our health? It's a question that concerns many people, especially now that we're spending more and more time in a world full of technology. What kind of radiation should we be aware of, and how can we limit its effects? We'll explain it all below, so keep reading. Tip: take your laptop off your lap 😉

While there isn't yet a great deal of concrete research on the long-term effects of radiation, also known as electromagnetic radiation (EMF), some information is available about the short-term effects, and they don't bode well for the long term. Cancer, infertility, headaches, and poor sleep… These are certainly not minor consequences!

What is electromagnetic radiation?
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are physical phenomena that arise when electric currents flow through conductors or when electrical devices are in operation. These fields consist of electric and magnetic components that combine to form energy and propagate through space as waves. EMF can be generated by a wide range of sources, including electrical wiring, appliances, radio and television transmitters, and wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi and mobile networks. All devices emit EMF, but some emit more than others. If you're interested in which sources in your area emit a lot of EMF, you can order an EMF meter for around thirty euros.

You won't believe how much you are exposed to EMF on a daily basis

Ever wondered how much electromagnetic radiation (EMF) you actually encounter on a typical day? The surprise lies in everyday things. Here's a list of some common sources of EMF you might be overlooking.

• Mobile phones and smartphones: Those handy little devices you take everywhere? They radiate more than you think!
• Wi-Fi Routers and Wireless Networks: Your beloved Wi-Fi, always faithful and present, but did you know it creates an EMF fest?
• Bluetooth devices : Headphones, AirPods, and Bluetooth sleep masks: Wireless convenience comes at a price, and that price is EMF. But hey, your music sounds great, right?
• Electrical appliances : TVs, computers and refrigerators: The heroes of our modern lives, but secretly also sources of EMF that steal the show.
• Electrical Wiring in Homes and Buildings : The silent power behind your lights and appliances, but they have a secret identity as EMF spreaders.
• High-voltage power lines and transformer stations: They bring power to our homes, but also a dose of EMF that you can't ignore.
• Radio and TV towers: They provide your daily dose of entertainment, but did you know they also spread EMF into the air?
• LED lights: The energy-efficient heroes of lighting, but they emit more than just light!

More and more companies are protecting people from the (potential) adverse effects of radiation. Apple, for example, has included the following in its online iPhone manual since 2023:

“Don't sleep on a device, power adapter, or wireless charger, or place them under a blanket, pillow, or your body, when it's connected to a power source. Keep your iPhone, the power adapter, and any wireless charger in a well-ventilated area when in use or charging. Take special care if you have a physical condition that affects your ability to detect heat against the body.”

How exactly does radiation work?

Everyone immediately thinks of nuclear weapons and Chernobyl when they think of radiation, but we are exposed to it every second of the day. Electromagnetic radiation (EMF) can be harmful to health, but the extent of damage can be influenced by several factors, including the distance between the body and the EMF source.

In general, the closer the EMF source is to the body, the higher the level of EMF exposure and the greater the potential harmful effects. This is because the intensity of EMF decreases as the distance between the source and the body increases. So, if you are close to an EMF source, the exposure level can be high enough to cause certain health effects.

An example of this is the use of mobile phones. When you hold a mobile phone to your ear, the source of EMF is very close to your head and brain. This can lead to relatively high EMF exposure, which, according to some studies, can lead to health problems such as headaches and sleep disturbances. On the other hand, if you hold the mobile phone a few centimeters from your head, the EMF exposure is much lower, and therefore the potential risks are also lower. There's already a 98% difference between holding a phone next to your ear and holding it on the speaker in your hand (about 30 cm from your head).

In short, the closer the EMF source is to the body, the greater the potential damage. Therefore, it's important to take precautions and limit EMF exposure, especially when the source is close to the body (PMID: 25340654 ).

So we want to limit radiation! But how do we do that?

• Laptop on a desk, not on your lap: Besides the radiation, the laptop also rests on your genitals, with all the (potential) negative consequences that entails. There are also EMF blocker mats. These can be used so you can still use your laptop on your lap. (At the end of the Alina Sleep Advice E-book, we refer you to a good EMF blocker mat.)
• Don't use AirPods: Yes, you heard that right; throw those things away. Besides the high EMF levels, the pods also sit in the ears, which are located next to the brain and the balance organ. The icing on the cake is that the two AirPods make contact with each other; this contact goes straight through the brain.
• Do not use the phone while it is charging.
• Avoid wireless chargers.
• Don't put your phone in your pocket: (If you do, turn on airplane mode)
• Do not hold your phone too close to your head: use the loudspeaker, for example.
• Turn off the WiFi router in the evening.
• Unplug all appliances from the bedroom socket.*

We can hear you asking yourself: "But what about my alarm clock?" Here's the perfect solution: a mechanical alarm clock!

EMF and its influence on sleep
EMF can disrupt melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone that induces sleep (Read all about sleep hormones here ). During sleep, EMF can increase brain activity. EMF is nothing more than frequency. Our brains can pick up and emit frequencies. EMF can therefore increase our brain activity. This is something you don't want while sleeping.

But how do we limit EMF to promote sleep? We do this by removing all devices from the bedroom: no phones, no digital alarm clocks, no laptops, etc. We also unplug everything. As the icing on the cake, we turn off the Wi-Fi router. The amount of EMF released varies by device. We'd rather err on the side of caution and remove everything.

Modern problems require modern solutions

One of the first recommendations is grounding, as this can discharge excess electricity from your body. We've discussed this extensively in our blog about grounding , where you can find in-depth information. Grounding can be done in various ways, such as contact with grass or swimming in the sea, but we no longer sleep on the ground like we did thousands of years ago. That's why we now have a revolutionary product: the Alina grounding sheet.

Grounding, earthing sheets... you're probably wondering what this hippie is all about. But this earthing sheet can make a huge difference in your sleep. These mats are made of conductive material and can be connected to a grounding point or grounded outlet. When a person touches the mat, it allows them to ground themselves and absorb electrons. Many people are afraid of this, since the mat is connected to the outlet. However, apart from contact with the grounding pins, there is no contact with the electrical grid. So there is no risk of electric shock. In fact, if you somehow receive an electric shock while lying on the mat, this energy will be transferred through the outlet to the ground. The mat is therefore completely safe.

So, the grounding sheet is the solution! You can use it while you sleep. Efficient? Check! Sleeping grounded ensures that most EMF is discharged through the sheet. Does this mean you can sleep with your phone under your pillow? Absolutely not. The tips for limiting EMF still apply and should be the foundation. Think of the grounding sheet as the icing on the cake, intended for people who want to get the most out of their night!

The Alina grounding sheet is designed to fit around a double bed. We're seeing more and more grounding sheets on the market, but these are loose mats. We used them in the past, too. But for the wild sleepers among us, this isn't an option. That's why we now have a grounding cover that won't easily move. It's also washable!

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