Two weeks ago there was a This American Life episode about sleep. The show covered why some people fear going to sleep -- bug infestations, paranoid daydreams, and extreme sleep walking disorders. In a few of the stories the authors mention reading up on sleep disorders and getting tips like, "don't watch TV before bed," or "don't use the Internet before bed." In one instance, GQ writer Joel Lovell responds with, "But isn't that when everyone pokes around the Internet or watches TV?"
As I type this, I'm laying in bed and it's 12:49 AM (god bless scheduled postings). I've noticed that it takes me longer to fall asleep if I've done just this before turning off the lights, but Joel has a point. Most of us catch up on personal emails or projects when we get home from work, and our time at the 'puter is further pushed back by dinner with the family or catching up with friends over drinks. If we aren't clacking away, we're in front of the TV trying (ironically) to decompress before bed. Worst of all, a lot of us watch the tube from the comfort of our own bed since we've placed a TV in the bedroom.
So my question is, how many of you use your gadgets before bed? And how many of you suffer in the sleep department because of it? Is this a modern old wive's tale?
Do any of you have rituals before going to bed to Luddite yourselves?
I often am puttering on the computer before bed, but between computer and bed lay my bedtime bathroom rituals, brushing teeth, brushing out my hair, that sort of thing.
If I'm being good, I'm in bed by 9:30 to either read or just lay in bed and let my mental hamsters run themselves down.
The only time I play with my computer in bed is if I've just woken up from a seriously crappy dream. If I'm trying to beat insomnia, watching a specific movie I've seen a thousand times before and find soothing can help, although not always.
view Tiamat_the_Red's profile
Very interesting post. Would love to hear what others have to say / how others live.
I work in Silicon Valley at the biggest online auction site.
The job is everything people say it is (in a bad way) and more.
I get home around 7:30, then it's dinner before putting the kids to bed, dishes and all that. By the time everything is done it's usually almost 10 pm. I watch a little TV to unwind, then it's back to work online.
On a good night I get to bed between midnight and 1; I've worked as late as 3 or 4 in the morning.
On most nights I am on the laptop all the way until I go to sleep (I bring it to bed). I use it to unwind, to check personal email, read blogs, or just generally surf the web.
Depending on my schedule I usually get up between 7 and 8.
Yes I know I don't get enough sleep (I average 5 hours a night). I have no trouble falling asleep mainly because by the time I go to bed I am completely exhausted.
view pkway's profile
I always "check in on the world" before I go to bed, generally around 1:00am, meaning I surf for a few minutes, check my email, see what's for sale today on woot.com, etc. But, like the first poster, I have a nighttime ritual that helps me decompress a little. And I like to read from a book a little bit just before turning out the lights, so that might contribute to my ease at falling asleep at night.
view SpaceMonkeyX's profile
Wow, I feel like an old lady, going to bed so early while the other two posters are up until all hours.
view Tiamat_the_Red's profile
I've found myself starting a ritual of getting into bed, plugging in my Zune, and watching a short cartoon, one of the Adult Swim ones that's around 11 minutes, or listening to the Daily GizWiz podcast which is around 15 minutes. Both relax me so much that I've found I fall asleep quicker than I used to in many, many decades.
view frenbren's profile
I haven't been able to sleep at midnight for the longest time now. I'm always lookin' at 3-4AM as the norm for me now.
view ekoshyun's profile
i need the tube on to fall asleep. i set a sleep timer, so it isn't a horrible waste of energy... but without the light and the noise, i'd be creeped out noticing the little noises my house makes.
view closertotheocean's profile
I usually don't go to bed until 3-4 am, too. I like to listen to news radio while I fall asleep. I can't fall asleep in complete silence.
view jyw's profile
There is something seriously wrong if you are working until 3 AM on a regular basis. I've done it occaisionally because of another consultant not getting me work product in time, but if you are getting only 5 hrs on a regular basis, it may be time to reevaluate your situation, IMHO. Our offices were 4 blks from the WTC and even we had a more humane schedule.
view kaanswfm's profile
I don't work until 3 am. I rarely work past 6 pm. And I get a full 8 hours every night. So, yes, I get up at noon. I work at home and can set my own schedule. Who works until 3 am? Geez.
view jyw's profile
It's funny you posted this, because I have been thinking about this a lot since I started my first traditional 9-6 job. There is an absolute difference in how easily I fall asleep from nights I am online right before bed vs. nights I just try to put the lights out. Also, I have this terrible habit of trying to fall asleep while watching DVDs on my MacBook in bed. I find I sleep better on the nights that even say, half an hour before I want to go to sleep I turn off the computer and read with my booklight. I make an effort to do that most nights.. but I often fail because I get so distracted online.
view lexkalil's profile
It's funny you mention This American Life, because that is how I go to bed. My laptop sits on a long side table next to my bed and a I turn on an episode and usually fall asleep before it's over.
Also, Fear of Sleep was one of my favorite episodes. That guy from The Moth with extreme sleep walking told a laugh out loud too loud kinda story.
view aptaptapt's profile