Creating a Tech Free Bedroom

Technology helps keep us connected, stay informed, be entertained, and engage with our friends. But, think about how you use technology before you go to bed. Are you answering work emails that really need to be answered that late at night? Are you scrolling through social media or playing a game? Whatever you are doing on your devices at night, it’s not helping you sleep.

We’re all guilty of wanting to watch “just one more episode” or scrolling for “5 more minutes,” but it’s never one more episode or truly 5 more minutes. Before we know it, it’s 2:00 a.m. and we have to get up for work in less than 5 hours. So, we shut our devices off and get sleep that’s less than restorative. Then in the morning, we’re tired, groggy, and moving a little slower than we should. So, how do we combat technology in the bedroom, and how do we get better sleep? It’s all about being mindful of when and how we’re using technology.

Do not disturb isn’t enough

All smartphones and tablets have a do-not-disturb mode where you can silence your notifications during a certain period of time. However, just because you don’t receive notifications doesn’t mean you won’t check your phone. If you can, leave your phone outside of your bedroom. If you have to use your phone for an alarm clock, put it across the room where it’s not within your reach. This will also help you not hit snooze in the morning and get up right when your alarm goes off.

Develop a new tech-free bedtime routine

An hour before you get ready for bed, turn off all of your electronics and start doing things like putting on your pajamas, washing your face, stretching, or meditating to help wind down for the day. This will also help your body know that it’s time for bed, and you will fall asleep faster.

Keep something non-electronic by your bed to help you sleep

There are some nights it’s just hard to fall asleep. Maybe you have a big presentation the next day, or you had a great day and your adrenaline is still going, making it hard for you to drift off to dreamland. If you find you’re having a hard time falling asleep, keep a book or journal next to your bed. Reading a book or writing down the events of the day in a journal will help you be more mindful and reflect on your day. It will also help you get a good night’s sleep.

On call? No problem!

If you’re in a profession that needs you to be on-call, you can still have a tech-free bedroom. You can invest in a landline that is used if you’re on call to keep your phone out of your bedtime routine. If a landline won’t work, you can still keep your phone across the room so you have to get up to get the phone.

Blue light from our smart devices stimulates your brain which makes it harder to fall asleep. When you pair the right mattress and a tech-free bedroom, you get a sleep oasis that will have you sleeping tight all night long. If you have a technology-free zone in your room and need the perfect mattress for a restful and rejuvenating night’s sleep, stop by your local Mattress Hub today. We’re here to help you change the way you sleep forever.