Netflix or other stimulating televised content on your laptop before bed might be ruining your sleep

Sleep expert Kiera Pritchard from Eachnight Mattresses suggests that simply indulging in a few episodes of your favourite show before bed could be enough to disrupt your regular night’s sleep.

Kiera says: “For many people, watching television in the evening has become a nightly tradition. Households typically have TV screens in multiple rooms of the house, so it is hard to escape the temptation to watch a few episodes of your favourite show right before bed.

“However, unlike tablets, laptops and phones, most modern televisions still do not come equipped with a blue light reduction option as standard. This means you are unable to moderate the amount of blue light emitted from the screen, which then enters your eyes during your evening viewing.

“This blue light is particularly disruptive to your sleep because it simulates the effect of daytime sunlight, which normally plays a key role in regulating your wakefulness throughout the day.

“Blue light hitting the back of your retina during the evening signals to your circadian rhythm that it is still daytime and suppresses the release of the hormone melatonin - delaying the onset of sleepiness.”

The good news is that you don’t have to cut out Netflix completely. A few simple changes to the way you watch can help to improve your sleep during the night.

“One simple switch that everyone could be making, is watching your shows on a laptop rather than a TV in the evening,” says Kiera.

“Many laptops and tablets now offer a ‘Night Shift’ mode which can be scheduled to automatically turn on and off at certain times of the day. This limits the amount of blue light that would otherwise be emitted from your screen.”

Kiera adds: “Your bedroom should be your sanctuary for sleep, so while it may be tempting, it is best to keep all form of electronic screens out of your room, including your mobile phone.

“Watching Netflix in bed can create a state of what is called pre-sleep arousal.

“It is important that your bedroom remains a place that you associate with relaxation and rest.

“I would recommend a cut off time of one hour before bed, for all screens and electronic devices.”

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