Apps Better Than Nightshift

Apple’s in-built screen time-limiting app is an excellent way to track your screen time without downloading any other apps. Built into iOS (and iPadOS), you can access it by going to Settings. For example, if you'll send only personal payments, you can choose apps like Venmo or Cash App. For business-related money transfers, PayPal and Payoneer are better options. You should also consider the country of residence of the person that you'll make the payments to because not all of the apps are available in all countries.

Apps Better Than Night Shift Book
Apps Better Than Night Shift Game
Apps Better Than Night Shift 2020

When Apple introduced Night Shift for iOS, lots of people started talking about blue light filters for Android. Amazon’s Fire Tablets have Blue Shade. A few Android phones such as the OnePlus5/5T, Samsung Note8 or the Samsung Galaxy S8 has the night-mode built-in, but still a lot of Android phones are yet to get it as a default feature.

Thankfully, there are a lot of free third-party apps in the Google Play Store that help keep the screen warmer at night and reduces the eye strain at the same time. We’ve covered a few before, but there’s also a few new kids on the block that don’t need root access.

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1. Midnight

Midnight gives you all the major functions of a blue light filter minus the ads. With a round slider interface, you can control the color temperature (black, yellow, blue and red light) of your screen. When you’ve tweaked the color, you can preview changes with the play button.

Like other filtering apps, you can schedule the start and stop time of the filter. It won’t automatically change based on your location’s sunrise and sunset times. That’s a function other apps have. One unique feature Midnight has is a sensor to determine ambient light. That setting dims the screen in dark environments.

Android apps can help you sleep: Here’s our guide to Android sleep tracking apps.

If you want to turn on the night mode manually, the app uses the notification center. Just tap the play button and your screen dims. From there, you can change the brightness while keeping your custom filter settings.

It depends on the student. For me, I'd work all times of the day. For instance, I might work from 5am-9am, go to class til noon, work from noon to 2pm, class from 2pm to 3pm, then be done. Get it: $2, iOS and Google Play. Noisli isn’t strictly a sleep app, but it’s perfect for anyone who likes to fall asleep to sounds or music. It allows you to mix and match different.

If you have a Desktop computer, f.lux is the go-to app to reduce blue light.

2. Night Screen

Night Screen’s free functions don’t quite do as much as Midnight. This app’s main advantage is ease of use. If all you’re looking for is a blue light filter, it’s built right into the app. When you’re ready, tap the app and reduce the brightness and blue light.

If you’re willing to pay the $1.99, Night Screen + removes the ads and lets you schedule activation. That in-app purchase also gives you a control widget through which you can seamlessly control the night mode.

3. Dimly

One problem with testing screen dimming apps is accidentally configuring the screen too dark. The only way out of that in most apps is to restart. Dimly has a Shake to Restore Brightness function that is a lifesaver. If you set the screen wrong, just shake to undo.

Like Night Screen, Dimly shows a slider when you tap that app. From there, or the notification center, you can adjust the screen color. What's more, you can toggle the blue light filter off if all you want is to reduce blue light. For an extra $1.99, Dimly removes the ads and lets you schedule a start time.

Too many ads? Rooting might help you block some ads.

4. Twilight

Twilight is one of our “must-have” apps for Android. We couldn’t review night filters without mentioning this app. It’s the closest thing to f.lux without forcing you to root your device. Unlike Midnight, you can’t control the levels, just the color temperature and intensity.

Twilight doesn’t have a particular blue light filter. The included level of control is adequate for most users. Like most of the apps covered, Twilight hangs out in the notification center. From there you can activate the screen dimming.

Is rooting bad? We cover the topic extensively here.

Twilight adds a ton of extra controls. The settings let you exclude apps from dimming (great if you’re adjusting a picture), pause the filter briefly, and set it up for bed reading.

The Pro version ($2.99) lets you set different profiles. That’s nice if you share your Android device with someone. With the Pro version, you get to control how long it takes for the screen to dim after sunset.

5. My Eyes Protection

My Eyes Protection is as easy as it gets for filtering. You’ve got one slider for blue light filtering. When you want filtering, just toggle it on from the app or notification center. No scheduling or customizing color levels.

Keeping eye care in mind, the developers have also added Eyestrain prevention to remind you to take breaks if you’re reading too much. That’s perfect for night reading because you don’t want a headache right before bed.

Rest your eyes in Windows: Some third-party utilities we covered will help.

Which Android Screen Filter Should You Use?

Twilight still reigns supreme if you want the most control over your color and brightness settings. It’s easy to use and includes the most functions without upgrading to Pro. If you need exact control over color levels, Midnight’s the better option.

If too many settings overwhelm you, Dimly and Night Screen make it easy to filter out blue light by just tapping the app. My Eyes Protection is simpler and includes some eye protection exercises.

If you use your Android device at night, getting one of these apps reduces your risk of staying up too late. Of course, the best way to prevent problems with screen light interruption at night is just not to use one.

At the end of the day, if you not satisfied by these Android apps, you can go to the Developer options and enable the Monochrome mode under the Simulate color space option.

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2 Android Apps to Make Your Smartphone’s Screen Dimmer than Normal
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Approximately 25% of people in the U.S. (1) work evenings, nights, early mornings, or rotating shifts. Although maintaining a regular sleep schedule is more difficult for shift workers, they still need the seven to nine hours of sleep (2) experts recommend adults receive each day.

How Does Shift Work Affect Your Sleep and Overall Health?

Work that takes place between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. (3) constitutes shift work. People working within this time frame are prone to insufficient sleep and fatigue during waking hours. Most night shift schedules do not match a person's circadian rhythms, which are the body's temperature, appetite, and sleep patterns that roughly correspond with each 24-hour period.

Circadian rhythm interruptions commonly occur among shift workers. When work schedules significantly interfere with natural sleeping and waking times, shift work disorder (4) might develop. The signs of this disorder include insomnia and excessive sleepiness during working hours for three months or more.

In addition to experiencing fatigue, shift workers may be more likely to make mistakes or have accidents at work. They are also at greater risk for drowsy driving and car crashes, especially on the way home from work. Given the importance of healthy sleep to productivity and overall health, the following strategies can help shift workers get the rest they need.

Create a Healthy Sleeping Environment

A calm, soothing sleep environment can help promote the sleep shift workers need. Make your sleeping environment as relaxing as possible. Wear your favorite pajamas or use a familiar pillow. Keep your bedroom dark and cool when you're ready for slumber.

When you must sleep during daylight hours, wearing an eye mask or using black-out shades or blinds might help trick your body into thinking it is nighttime. Try earplugs, a white noise machine, or headphones and a smartphone app to block out distracting sounds. If you keep your smartphone nearby, however, resist the urge to look at its screen.

Nap When You Can

Brief naps can combat sleep deprivation, improve job performance (5), alleviate stress (6), reduce sleepiness, and boost the immune system. Research suggests that nurses who nap during their overnight shifts tend to feel less tired (7) when they drive home.

Ten minutes (8) tends to be the most effective nap duration. If your job allows it, try to take a nap during a break. Because of the increased risk of a car accident on the way home from work, consider taking a 10-minute nap in your car when you get off work. Try drinking coffee right before napping to give the caffeine from the coffee time to kick in and give you a boost.

Plan shorter and longer naps (9) around your work schedule. Naps during work hours should be no more than 15 to 30 minutes. Plan longer naps (about 1.5 hours) before you report for a night shift.

Develop the Best Sleep Schedule for Night Shifts

Consistency is critical when setting a night shift sleep schedule. Set your alarm for the same time each day and be reliable with your bedtimes. Try going to bed as soon as possible after work so that your body does not get tricked into staying up. Follow your sleep schedule, even on your days off.

A bedtime routine like a warm shower before bed might help you relax, and avoid caffeine three to four hours before bed. Alcohol might help you fall asleep initially, but it will hinder healthy slumber and perhaps wake you up early.

Plan Sleep Techniques for Rotating Shifts

Even if your shifts rotate, you can still train your body for a graveyard sleep schedule. Before your next night shift, set your alarm so that you wake up as close to the start of your workday as possible. Another option is to nap for a few hours when you get home from a night shift, and plan a longer nap so that you wake up right before work the next evening.

Use Strategies While You're Awake

As a shift worker, there are many actions you can take while awake to help reinforce the sleep-wake schedule you desire. Try these strategies:

Exercise during off-hours, which can enhance sleep health.
If possible, drink small amounts of caffeine every one to two hours during your shift to stay alert.
Climb stairs or engage in other short bursts of activity to heighten alertness.
Use increased lighting in your workspace to simulate daytime, or talk to your supervisor about this making this arrangement.
When you leave work, wear sunglasses to avoid sunlight exposure that could interfere with falling asleep when you get home.
If your shift is early in the morning, turn on a bright light and do jumping jacks or other activity when you awaken.

There is no single best sleep schedule or approach to sleep that works for all shift workers. It’s best to try different strategies until you find one that works for you.

References