Ditch the screens about an hour before bed and try these calming activities instead.
If you’ve ever climbed into bed only to find your brain suddenly wide awake, you’re not alone. Many people struggle to “turn off” at night. You might replay conversations from the day, plan tomorrow’s to-do list, get sucked into another episode of whatever you’re streaming or spend far too long scrolling through your phone.
Sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our health. And when it comes to encouraging our bodies and minds to wind down so we sleep better, one of the best things we can do is to go screen-free. The light from phones, TVs and tablets can trick our brains into thinking it’s still daytime, delaying the release of melatonin, the hormone that helps us fall asleep. Scrolling or watching stimulating shows also keeps our minds active when they should be slowing down.
Creating a screen-free bedtime routine signals to your body that it’s time to rest, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Turn off all screens about an hour before bed and spend the time doing quiet, low-energy activities that help your mind slow down.