Ashwin Lewis
Watching TV before bed is a common bedtime ritual for many people, with 72.6% of US adults watching TV before bed, according to a survey. While some people may find that the background noise of a TV helps them sleep, there are potential drawbacks to sleeping with the TV on. Research has shown that blue light from electronic devices like TVs can negatively impact sleep quality and duration, and even raise the risk of health concerns like weight gain. However, the hum of the TV may help some people fall asleep, acting as a form of white noise. The stimulating audio and light from a TV may also impact one's mood and disrupt dreams, hormones, and overall health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| People sleep with the TV on because of the hum of the TV which acts as a white noise | 50% of people use some sort of sound to help them fall asleep |
| Sleeping with the TV on can disrupt dreams, hormones, and health | 1 hour of screen time at bedtime reduces sleep by 24 minutes |
| TV gives off blue light which can harm sleep | A 2014 study linked TV use during sleep to increased fatigue and poor sleep quality |
| TV as a bedtime ritual | 72.6% of respondents watch programming on a television set before bed |
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What You'll Learn
TV as white noise
Watching TV before bed or while trying to fall asleep can have both positive and negative effects. Some people use the hum of the TV as a kind of white noise to help them sleep. They are not interested in the dialogue or the plot but rather enjoy the comforting background noise. White noise has been shown to be an effective sleep aid. Streaming services like YouTube, Spotify, and Netflix offer white noise channels or playlists. Dedicated white noise apps are also available for smart TVs.
However, research has found that more than an hour of TV a night is associated with sleep issues. The stimulating audio and light from a TV may impact your mood and health. The flickering of the TV screen may lengthen sleep onset and reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. You may miss out on the essential restorative work your body does during REM sleep, such as consolidating memories.
TVs give off blue light, which can harm your sleep. However, the blue light from a TV is less intense than that of a cell phone, tablet, or laptop. If your choice is between not sleeping at all or sleeping with the TV on, you should choose the latter.
It is important to note that there are better ways to promote good sleep hygiene than watching TV, such as listening to calming music or reading a book.
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TV is less stimulating than other devices
While sleeping with the TV on has been associated with several negative consequences, it is sometimes preferred over other devices as a less stimulating alternative.
TVs give off blue light, but it is less intense than the blue light emitted by smartphones, tablets, or laptops. Blue light negatively affects sleep quality, so the reduced intensity from a TV can be less harmful.
Some people use the hum of the TV as a form of white noise to help them sleep. They may not be following the plot but instead enjoying the comforting background noise. White noise has been proven to aid sleep effectively.
Video games, for example, are considered more stimulating than TV as they can trigger the brain to release adrenaline. TV, on the other hand, can make some people feel calm, relaxed, and comfortable.
However, it is important to note that the preference for TV over other devices before sleep may vary from person to person. While some may find TV less stimulating, others may find it equally or more stimulating than other electronic devices.
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TV can disrupt dreams, hormones and health
While some people may find that watching TV helps them fall asleep, experts generally advise against sleeping with the TV on. This is because it can negatively impact your dreams, hormones, and health in several ways.
Firstly, the blue light emitted by TV screens can affect your sleep quality by suppressing melatonin production. Melatonin is a crucial hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. Blue light exposure can delay sleep onset, or the time it takes to fall asleep. The flickering of the TV screen may also lengthen sleep onset and reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep is essential for the restorative work your body performs, such as consolidating memories.
Secondly, the stimulating audio and visual content from the TV can impact your dreams and mood. The brain remains stimulated by the sounds and images from the TV as you drift off, potentially leading to strange and disturbing dreams. Nightmares can disrupt your sleep by making it difficult to fall back asleep, resulting in reduced sleep quantity and quality.
Thirdly, sleeping with the TV on has been linked to various health risks. Research has associated artificial light exposure during sleep with an increased risk of obesity. Additionally, sleep deprivation caused by inadequate or disrupted sleep can lead to weight gain. Beyond weight-related issues, sleep deprivation can also increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety, irritability, and other mental and physical health problems.
While there are some benefits to using the TV as a sleep aid, such as providing comforting background noise and familiar content, it is important to be aware of the potential drawbacks. The negative impacts on dreams, hormones, and health associated with sleeping with the TV on highlight the importance of prioritizing healthy sleep habits and exploring alternative sleep aids.
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TV before bed is a common habit
Watching TV before bed is a common habit for many people. In fact, according to a survey, 73.1% of adults say that watching TV before bed is a habit, with 72.6% of respondents watching TV on a television set before bed, as opposed to a phone, laptop, or tablet. 88.6% of adults admit to binge-watching a show at least once a month, and 50.4% of adults who watch TV before bed get seven hours of sleep or less each night.
There are several reasons why watching TV before bed is a common habit. Firstly, it can be a form of relaxation and entertainment after a long day. With the advent of streaming services and on-demand programming, it's easier than ever to find something to watch that matches our interests and preferences. Additionally, the rise of binge-worthy shows with cliffhangers and compelling storylines can make it hard to stop watching, even when we know we should be heading to bed.
Another reason why TV before bed is common is that it can act as a source of background noise or white noise for some people. They don't necessarily pay attention to the plot or visuals but find the soft hum of the TV comforting and soothing as they drift off to sleep. This can be especially true for those who live alone or in a quiet neighbourhood, as the TV noise can provide a sense of company or mask outside noises that might disturb sleep.
While some people may find that watching TV before bed helps them relax and fall asleep, it's important to consider the potential drawbacks. The stimulating audio and light from a TV can impact your sleep quality and duration. The blue light emitted by TV screens can interfere with your body's natural sleep-wake cycles, potentially leading to sleep debt and negative consequences on your health and well-being. Additionally, the content you watch can affect your mood and emotions, potentially making it harder to unwind and prepare for sleep.
To mitigate the potential negative effects of watching TV before bed, some experts recommend creating a bedtime routine that involves turning off electronic devices, including TVs, at least an hour before sleep. This can help signal to your body that it's time to wind down and prepare for rest. Additionally, there are alternative sleep aids that can provide similar benefits to TV noise, such as ambient noises (white noise, pink noise, fan sounds, etc.), music, or autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) stimuli.
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TV can be relaxing
Watching TV is the top bedtime ritual for US adults, according to a survey. 73.1% of adults say it's a habit, and 72.6% of respondents watch programming on a television set before bed, as opposed to a phone, laptop, or tablet.
The hum of the TV can be a source of white noise for many people, helping them to sleep. They don't follow the plot or watch the screen but enjoy the comforting background noise. White noise has been shown to be an effective sleep aid. TVs emit blue light, but it's less intense than the blue light from phones, tablets, or laptops. Lower blue light exposure can lead to better sleep.
Watching TV can be relaxing for some people, helping them to calm down and unwind. It can be a way to destress after a long day. The soft volume and familiar background noise of the TV can create a soothing atmosphere, making it easier to fall asleep.
However, it's important to note that watching TV before bed can also have negative consequences. The stimulating audio and light from the TV may impact your mood and health. It can disrupt your dreams, hormones, and sleep cycles, especially the important REM sleep stage. Research has also linked TV use during sleep to increased fatigue and poor sleep quality.
While TV can be relaxing for some, it's essential to be mindful of the potential drawbacks and maintain good sleep hygiene.
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Frequently asked questions
Some men may sleep better with the TV on because they use it as a source of white noise to help them fall asleep. The soft background noise from the TV can be comforting and may help them drift off.
Sleeping with the TV on can have some negative consequences. The stimulating audio and light from the TV may disrupt your sleep, dreams, hormones, and health. It can also increase your risk of health issues such as weight gain and sleep deprivation.
Yes, there are alternative sleep aids that can provide calming audio without the negative effects of blue light. These include ambient noises such as white noise, pink noise, or natural sounds like rain or the sea. Music can also help lower blood pressure and heart rate, aiding sleep.
