Sleep is essential for overall health, with adults recommended to get at least seven hours each night.
However, many fall short, and if you leave on the TV as you try to drift off, it could be impacting your sleep quality.
Dr. Chivonna Childs, a psychologist with Cleveland Clinic, notes that TVs lack the blue light filters found in cellphones.
“The blue light kind of reminds us of the sun, so it disrupts our circadian rhythms,” she said.
Having the TV on can also impact REM sleep, the stage where most dreaming occurs.
The noise and content of shows can intrude on dreams, leading to restless sleep.
“We may be ‘sleeping,’ but we’re waking up, and we’re not rested,” Childs explained.
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To improve sleep quality, Childs suggests these ways to break your bedtime habits:
- Practice good sleep hygiene.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol before before bedtime.
- Don’t take afternoon naps.
- Create calming bedtime rituals, such as reading, drinking caffeine-free tea, or dimming lights.
- Use a sleep mask to block TV light, set a timer to turn off the TV, or switch to background noise like soothing music or a podcast.
- Explore apps that offer guided meditation for relaxation.
“You can train yourself to go to sleep without your TV,” Child said.
Childs also emphasized maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and reserving the bed for rest alone. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary used only for peace and rest.
