TV Before Bed: Does It Ruin Your Sleep?

Posted on - 12th September 2023

We look at the age old question, does TV before bed ruin your sleep?

With instant access to your favourite movies and TV shows through streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, there is nothing like winding down after a long day and catching up on some TV before heading to bed. This is a night-time ritual for many households across Britain, however, it may not be the best way to wind down before bedtime. In this article, we give you the answer to one of the biggest queries about sleep, does watching TV before bed ruin your sleep?

What Does Research Say?

Let’s start off with sharing some interesting figures. According to the 2022 Sleep Survey by Dreams, out of the 15,000 UK adults surveyed, the majority of people (55%) spend time watching TV, followed by scrolling through social media (42%). Nowadays, watching TV is more popular than other night-time rituals such as talking to their partner or reading a book. 

Another study suggests that 50% of Brits have a TV in their bedroom. Not only for catching up on TV in the comfort of their bed, but it’s also used as a sleep aid. Out of those Brits who have a TV in their bedroom, a quarter of them (24.9%) turn on their TV before going to sleep as these people may find it difficult to sleep in total silence and they enjoy the comfort of other voices and diegetic noises in the room as they sleep. However, this habit is not good for your sleep or your energy bills.

Is It Bad To Watch TV Before Bed?

To put it simply, yes, watching TV before bed is bad for your sleep health. In fact, it can disturb your natural sleep cycle. The blue light coming from TV screens can suppress the body’s production of the sleep hormone, melatonin and throw off the circadian rhythm (part of the biological clock). When the blue light meets the retina of the eye, this sends a signal to your brain that it’s actually morning time and it causes melatonin to drop when it should be peaking at night. Do you experience difficulty with sleep? Your TV could be causing the problem. 

How Do I Get Better Sleep?

Are you one of those people who watches TV before bed? If so, you might want to consider reducing your screen time by switching off your TV or better yet, moving out your TV to create a screen-free zone. If you want to watch TV, it’s advised to take a break from all screens an hour before bedtime. If you have a habit of leaving your TV on during the night, most TV’s come with an automatic shut-off feature. It is also beneficial to dim the brightness on your devices and set them on night mode if possible. Listening to a sleeping podcast or calming music as well as reading or meditation are great alternatives to promoting better sleep. 

Make Your Bedroom More Comfortable

While we watch TV to wind down and relax, the bedroom should be a relaxing space without the need of additional devices. If you’re looking to make your bedroom more comfortable and relaxing, you could consider investing in high-quality bedding and furniture. At Dial-A-Mattress, we stock a wide range of mattresses, bed frames and divan sets. With a supportive mattress and a bed frame from our leading brands, you can enjoy better quality sleep in a screen-free space! To view our full range of bedroom furniture, stop by our showroom in Shrewsbury and chat to our team. We also offer delivery around England and Wales as well as finance options. For more information on any of our products, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.