technology & sleep

After just one restful night's sleep in my own space, following my personally preferred bedtime routines, I am feeling more "myself" again.  However, the one thing I did do differently is tech time!

While I was away last week, I managed to do the big "best practices for sleep" no-no!  I watched TV at bedtime because I could!  With a TV in most hotel rooms, it's almost a given that people curl up not to read, but to watch.  So, perhaps, in hindsight, the less than ideal sleep I had while away was not just about a new environment with new sensations.  Maybe, just maybe, it also had to do with screen time being part of bedtime!

I could just assume we all know how that works, but, just so we're understanding each other, let me say:  In nature, we get blue light from the sun.  When the sun sets, blue light decreases and signals our brain to produce neurochemical changes that help us get to sleep (which our brains and body need for oh so many reasons!).  The clincher?  Screens (TV, smart phones, tablets, computers, etc.) emit "blue light".  So, if we are accessing "screen time" within a half hour before our planned bedtime, we are literally signalling to our brains to keep us alert and NOT to sleep.

The solution - limit screen time in the evenings and definitely shut off all screen devices at least a half hour before bed.

For kids - and their parents too!