"Not getting enough sleep? Turn off the technology"

[goalorientgirl]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7260RH20110307

(Reuters) - Dependence on televisions, cellphones and laptops may be costing Americans dearly -- in lack of sleep.

Charles Czeisler, of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said exposure to artificial light before going to bed can increase alertness and suppress the release of melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone.

I'm actually really dependent on TV before bed to go to sleep; it's part of my "ritual", it's hard for me to try going to sleep without it. I wonder if I seriously tried to cut it out for good if I'd sleep better, but I'm not sure how much it's costing me, realistically.

[whatevergirl]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7260RH20110307



I'm actually really dependent on TV before bed to go to sleep; it's part of my "ritual", it's hard for me to try going to sleep without it. I wonder if I seriously tried to cut it out for good if I'd sleep better, but I'm not sure how much it's costing me, realistically.

I've read this, also. Do you fall asleep easily, or wake up midway through the night?

[NOVA888]

I need the TV, even if it's only to change channels until I fall asleep.

[goalorientgirl]

I've read this, also. Do you fall asleep easily, or wake up midway through the night?

I have a really hard time falling asleep (that's why I use the tv, the noise helps), but once I'm out I sleep until morning/something wakes me.

[nvrstopworking]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7260RH20110307



I'm actually really dependent on TV before bed to go to sleep; it's part of my "ritual", it's hard for me to try going to sleep without it. I wonder if I seriously tried to cut it out for good if I'd sleep better, but I'm not sure how much it's costing me, realistically.

My last 2 ex-gfs were like this too and it drove me crazy lol.... I can't sleep if I'm watching a show (unless I'm absolutely EXHAUSTED).

Sucked trying to watch movies with them late at night too because of it.

<at the video store>

Me: So what about this one?
Her: Ick! No.... don't like the looks of that one. How about this one? I REALLY want to see it BADLY.
Me: ok.

<at home>

Me: Ready to start it?
Her: Yep!
Me: *presses play on remote*
Her: *asleep before closing credits are over*
Me: :bertstare:

[whatevergirl]

I have a really hard time falling asleep (that's why I use the tv, the noise helps), but once I'm out I sleep until morning/something wakes me.

I've struggled with sleep for like...years. I have been into endurance sports...biking/running for years, and then last year, got into weight lifting. One would THINK...all that activity would cause me to slip into a quasi coma all night long. But...I think it's the light from tv, computers, etc. Whenever I read or something before bed...I sleep soundly all night. I think probably the same for you--since you're a tv watcher before bed, you are struggling falling asleep. Maybe just 'test' it for a week. Go without the tv an hour before bed, and see if there's a notable change. And GNC sells melatonin tabs. They're helpful for a short term fix.

[goalorientgirl]

My last 2 ex-gfs were like this too and it drove me crazy lol.... I can't sleep if I'm watching a show (unless I'm absolutely EXHAUSTED).

Sucked trying to watch movies with them late at night too because of it.

<at the video store>

Me: So what about this one?
Her: Ick! No.... don't like the looks of that one. How about this one? I REALLY want to see it BADLY.
Me: ok.

<at home>

Me: Ready to start it?
Her: Yep!
Me: *presses play on remote*
Her: *asleep before closing credits are over*
Me: :bertstare:

Okay, this is exactly my husband and I. He can not fall asleep during a movie or tv show, even the most boring ones imaginable, and I seem to need them to put me out. I don't know how many movies we've started together that I've never seen the end of... Probably, most of them. :/

[whatevergirl]

My last 2 ex-gfs were like this too and it drove me crazy lol.... I can't sleep if I'm watching a show (unless I'm absolutely EXHAUSTED).

Sucked trying to watch movies with them late at night too because of it.

<at the video store>

Me: So what about this one?
Her: Ick! No.... don't like the looks of that one. How about this one? I REALLY want to see it BADLY.
Me: ok.

<at home>

Me: Ready to start it?
Her: Yep!
Me: *presses play on remote*
Her: *asleep before closing credits are over*
Me: :bertstare:

lol
You seem like you'd make someone a good bf, nsw. (I'm not flirting with you lol)
Just sayin'

[goalorientgirl]

I've struggled with sleep for like...years. I have been into endurance sports...biking/running for years, and then last year, got into weight lifting. One would THINK...all that activity would cause me to slip into a quasi coma all night long. But...I think it's the light from tv, computers, etc. Whenever I read or something before bed...I sleep soundly all night. I think probably the same for you--since you're a tv watcher before bed, you are struggling falling asleep. Maybe just 'test' it for a week. Go without the tv an hour before bed, and see if there's a notable change. And GNC sells melatonin tabs. They're helpful for a short term fix.

I've tried melatonin but it doesn't seem to help. I should probably just actually try cutting out TV/emailing checking before bed for a week and see if I can adjust. Good idea.

[Elfie.]

I've tried melatonin but it doesn't seem to help. I should probably just actually try cutting out TV/emailing checking before bed for a week and see if I can adjust. Good idea.

How much melatonin did you try? 10 mgs and 1 ZMA capsule and I'm asleep. But I still need the tv on for a bit till I finally zonk out.

[Carlycavwifey]

When me and my husband first got married I made up a stupid rule (it's not stupid now) to not have TV in our bdrm and sure enough 7+yrs later we still don't have a TV in our room When he's not deployed thats our time to talk, reflect, and all that other good stuff When I lay down in bed I fall asleep quickly and sleep the whole night. I do have a fan in my room and it blocks out all the noises but as far as TV I wouldn't be able to get a good nights sleep with it in my room. I do on rare occasions bring my lap top in my bdrm but I prefer to leave the technology down stairs.

[whatevergirl]

How much melatonin did you try? 10 mgs and 1 ZMA capsule and I'm asleep. But I still need the tv on for a bit till I finally zonk out.

I wasn't sure about taking melatonin and zma together. I have ZMA, and by itself...at first, it was great. Then, over time, I dunno. Just didn't nothing for me. Thanks for posting this, elfie.

[whatevergirl]

When me and my husband first got married I made up a stupid rule (it's not stupid now) to not have TV in our bdrm and sure enough 7+yrs later we still don't have a TV in our room When he's not deployed thats our time to talk, reflect, and all that other good stuff When I lay down in bed I fall asleep quickly and sleep the whole night. I do have a fan in my room and it blocks out all the noises but as far as TV I wouldn't be able to get a good nights sleep with it in my room. I do on rare occasions bring my lap top in my bdrm but I prefer to leave the technology down stairs.

Experts say the bed should just be for sleep and sex...so, guess they're right. lol

[goalorientgirl]

How much melatonin did you try? 10 mgs and 1 ZMA capsule and I'm asleep. But I still need the tv on for a bit till I finally zonk out.

I honestly can't remember how much I had tried... Whatever the size the little over the counter pills were at the pharmacy. If I can't manage, I'll try it again at some point. I think this "no digital tech" concept will be worth it to try out to see if maybe it is the light confusing my brain. Even when we go on vacation and I've spent 8-10 hours hiking I still want the TV on to go to sleep, it's really silly how reliant I am on it.

[Carlycavwifey]

Experts say the bed should just be for sleep and sex...so, guess they're right. lol

lol yup

[Carlycavwifey]

I honestly can't remember how much I had tried... Whatever the size the little over the counter pills were at the pharmacy. If I can't manage, I'll try it again at some point. I think this "no digital tech" concept will be worth it to try out to see if maybe it is the light confusing my brain. Even when we go on vacation and I've spent 8-10 hours hiking I still want the TV on to go to sleep, it's really silly how reliant I am on it.

Maybe try a fan if you haven't already. I can't sleep in complete silence. I'm sure it will be hard to break the habit initially but after a while you will probably get to the point where you can't sleep with the tv on anymore.

[goalorientgirl]

Experts say the bed should just be for sleep and sex...so, guess they're right. lol

Yeah, seriously! Sometimes I take my laptop into bed to get work done... That's a killer. I even find sex right before bed makes it harder to sleep, so now I always prefer to have it in the morning (which knocks the husband back out, but makes me feel great about starting my day lol).

[whatevergirl]

@ elfie: I'm going to try this combo tonight...thanks!

I've also taken unisom, but you can feel a little foggy in the a/m. Magnesium helps too.

Most nights lately, I've been sleeping. But, every say 6 nights, my sleep will be crap. Any other women have an off night or two of sleep, right before 'that time?'

[NOVA888]

Sometimes I take my laptop into bed to get work done... That's a killer.

That's where I draw the limit! I'd be eternally sleepless I ever brought the computer to bed.

[seanb1979]

How much melatonin did you try? 10 mgs and 1 ZMA capsule and I'm asleep. But I still need the tv on for a bit till I finally zonk out.

thats a LOT of melatonin... do you always take 10mg?

[bethanyboo]

I usually fall asleep the second my head hits the pillow and I only ever wake up when I need to pee. I use my iPhone as an alarm so it's always in my room with me and it's never been a problem.

I don't have a TV in my room but only because I'm not big on TV. I don't want to ever get sucked into TV enough to necessitate a TV in the bedroom. Back in college when I had all kinds of technology in my teensy room, I never had problems sleeping either. I guess I'm just good at sleeping.

[Elfie.]

I wasn't sure about taking melatonin and zma together. I have ZMA, and by itself...at first, it was great. Then, over time, I dunno. Just didn't nothing for me. Thanks for posting this, elfie.

They work really well together. Normally I would take 2 ZMA's but I'm running out. Best sleep I've ever had for sure.

In the begining you might have some crazy/intense dreams when taking the two together. This might make some people wary but I love it. Heh.

I honestly can't remember how much I had tried... Whatever the size the little over the counter pills were at the pharmacy. If I can't manage, I'll try it again at some point. I think this "no digital tech" concept will be worth it to try out to see if maybe it is the light confusing my brain. Even when we go on vacation and I've spent 8-10 hours hiking I still want the TV on to go to sleep, it's really silly how reliant I am on it.

I think it's worth it to give it another go. I've seen melatonin sold in very small doses (like 2 mg's) which would do nothing for me.

I hear you on the no digical tech concept, but I guess it's really hard to give up for some of us because we're used to being comforted by background noise and flashing lights. I really struggle with turning my computer off at night. I feel like "what if I desperately need to google something at 3 AM!?" *panic* I think I'll turn it off tonight...but the tv stays for now.

[nvrstopworking]

lol
You seem like you'd make someone a good bf, nsw. (I'm not flirting with you lol)
Just sayin'

Pink Knight! j/k!

I appreciate the compliment.

[goalorientgirl]

I hear you on the no digical tech concept, but I guess it's really hard to give up for some of us because we're used to being comforted by background noise and flashing lights. I really struggle with turning my computer off at night. I feel like "what if I desperately need to google something at 3 AM!?" *panic* I think I'll turn it off tonight...but the tv stays for now.

Yeah, outside the TV, within arms reach from our bed is usually my laptop, iPad, and iPhone... I'm such a technology junky... I am way too "digitally accessible" at all times. When we went to Mexico last spring for vacation and had no Internet access, I swear I went through withdrawal the first couple of nights. By the end though, I was loving it. Okay, the computer goes to bed earlier tonight.