Bedtime Detox

When I first had my son I would often pull out my phone during midnight feedings to help stay awake long enough for Dylan to eat.  However, I have realized as of late, I have gotten in a bad habit of staying glued to my phone 24/7.  Why do I constantly “refresh” my news feed instead of being refreshed by having a face-to-face conversation with a friend, reading a book, or dare I say having a quiet reflective moment?   I’ve been wondering if my late night phone addiction was starting to disrupt my sleep.  As it turns out, science would prove that theory correct.

I was watching CNN’s “Living to 100” series with Dr. Sanjay Gupta.  He describes what late night exposure to screens does to us.  He says it “creates an arousal in our brains that is so profound that it makes it much harder to go to sleep.”  Using medical terminology, he proceeds to support that statement with evidence from studies.

Do I really have to see every post on Instagram and view every pin on Pinterest?  Absolutely not!

From now on I am detoxing myself from screens each evening.  From 9PM until when I go to bed, I will activate my ‘Do Not Disturb’ function on my phone.  My health, relationships, and neglected pile of books will be better as a result.  

Here’s to a good night sleep and sweet dreams!  

P.S.  I will still comment, like and follow your pins and photos… it will just have to wait until morning. ;)