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There's something deeper here that runs counter to the generally accepted idea that lights from screens at night disrupts the body's circadian rhythm and keeps

There's something deeper here that runs counter to the generally accepted idea that lights from screens at night disrupts the body's circadian rhythm and keeps us awake. Anecdotally I know that I can go from "can't sleep; thinking about everything I have to do tomorrow" to asleep in 10 mins opening my phone and browsing reddit - in dark mode no less, makes me feel better about doing it - and reading mindlessly. Emphasis on mindlessly.

dwild 7y ago
In the past I read something interesting about falling asleep. We all know how smoking, looking at a screen, eating sugar, etc... are all pretty bad to fall asleep, but actually what's helping the most isn't not doing theses things, it's the routine that you have before sleeping. Someone that does theses things every night, will have a much harder time to go to sleep if he doesn't do theses. Ideally it would be to just suck it up until you build an healthier routine I guess, but if your sleep is fine, why bother really? Just keep the routine that works for you.
- qorrect 7y ago
  I like this idea a lot. I don't really struggle with sleep, I don't get enough, but it's because I'm desperate to enjoy the free time I'm left with after work and responsibilities and ended up getting to bed late.
paulcarroty 7y ago
> accepted idea that lights from screens at night disrupts the body's circadian rhythm and keeps us awake. Seems like it's true, 'cause after couple of months living with "Night mode" on all my devices I sleep just fine. Also stopped to read/watch anything without good light.
bacon_waffle 7y ago
It's important to separate the effects of the light from the screen, and the information the mind is getting through the screen. I've experimented a bit with blue blocker glasses, and I think they do help a little (perhaps placebo effect is playing a role, but whatever works). But, as you suggest, it is far more important for me to avoid thought provoking material on the screen before bed, than to avoid the screen wholesale.

dwild 7y ago

In the past I read something interesting about falling asleep. We all know how smoking, looking at a screen, eating sugar, etc... are all pretty bad to fall asleep, but actually what's helping the most isn't not doing theses things, it's the routine that you have before sleeping. Someone that does theses things every night, will have a much harder time to go to sleep if he doesn't do theses. Ideally it would be to just suck it up until you build an healthier routine I guess, but if your sleep is fine, why bother really? Just keep the routine that works for you.

qorrect 7y ago
I like this idea a lot. I don't really struggle with sleep, I don't get enough, but it's because I'm desperate to enjoy the free time I'm left with after work and responsibilities and ended up getting to bed late.

paulcarroty 7y ago

> accepted idea that lights from screens at night disrupts the body's circadian rhythm and keeps us awake. Seems like it's true, 'cause after couple of months living with "Night mode" on all my devices I sleep just fine. Also stopped to read/watch anything without good light.

bacon_waffle 7y ago

It's important to separate the effects of the light from the screen, and the information the mind is getting through the screen. I've experimented a bit with blue blocker glasses, and I think they do help a little (perhaps placebo effect is playing a role, but whatever works). But, as you suggest, it is far more important for me to avoid thought provoking material on the screen before bed, than to avoid the screen wholesale.