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Using the excuse of staying awake to watch “just one more episode” is a common reason for delaying bedtime.
With shows like Peacock’s “Love Island” airing almost every night, the pressure to catch up on the latest episode and engage in conversations the next day is high.
Aside from causing morning drowsiness, staying up to watch TV isn’t beneficial for the brain, according to psychiatrist and brain imaging specialist Daniel Amen, founder of Amen Clinics in California.
“‘I just have to watch the last episode’ of whatever show you’re watching, and you end up cutting out half an hour or an hour of sleep,” he said in an interview.
In such situations, Dr. Amen recommends, “Don’t make important decisions the next day, because your brain has not been properly ‘washed.’ And you’re just more likely to make a bad decision.”
The pressure to stay up-to-date on the latest episode or streaming series often leads to delayed bedtimes. (iStock)
Dr. Amen emphasizes the importance of prioritizing sleep because during sleep, the brain “cleans and washes itself.”
Getting enough sleep at night helps improve memory, energy, focus, and blood flow the next day, according to Dr. Amen.
Dr. Daniel Amen (shown right) explains how failing to prioritize sleep can damage the brain. (Katie Levine; iStock)
“If you want your memory better tomorrow, go to bed half an hour early tonight,” he suggested. “Given that, we can record [shows] or we can always watch them the next day.”
“If you want your memory better tomorrow, go to bed half an hour early tonight.”
“How much do you love yourself?” Dr. Amen asked. “Because doing the right thing is never about deprivation.”
Dr. Amen encourages adopting a mindset focused on energy, memory, focus, passion, purpose, and brain health rather than deprivation.
Exposure to blue light reduces the production of melatonin, decreasing the quality of sleep, according to experts. (iStock)
Dr. Amen warned that exposure to screens and blue light before bed can decrease melatonin production, making you less sleepy.
“Mindlessly scrolling – you’re going to have the fear of missing out almost immediately, which also increases stress,” he added.
Dr. Amen recommended adding blue-light blockers to all devices that turn on when the sun goes down to help ease into a restful night’s sleep.
