Discover how binge-watching is stealing your sleep. Meri Sehat provides insights into the connection between binge-watching habits and sleep quality.

How Binge Watching Is Stealing Your Sleep

Due to so many screens, our sleep is already questionable. Putting binge-watching in the mix just takes things up to a whole other level.

Overview

We love sacrificing our sleep for the smallest of things. Binge watching is our favourite one of all. We can all watch Netflix all day while munching on our favourite snacks, procrastinating on everything and keeping our lives on snooze. However, binge watching steals more than just your time. It takes away your sleep. 
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Impact of Binge Watching on Sleep

Talha Khan knows that better than anyone. He&rsquo;s what they call a hardcore streaming service addict. He&rsquo;s subscribed to Amazon Prime, Netflix and accesses other services such as Hulu and Disney+ through a complex system of proxies and accounts shared by his siblings with subscriptions to the services abroad. 
 
Talha has seen and continues to see everything. He&rsquo;s up most of the night doing marathons of various shows, and is groggy the next day en route to college. Catches up on different shows on his mobile phone in between classes and has the TV running in the background all of the time.&nbsp;

&ldquo;I struggle with&hellip; sometimes trying to relate to other people,&rdquo; he confesses. &ldquo;Even when I go out with my friends or family, I&rsquo;m thinking about the show I need to catch up on once I get back. Yes, I stay up most nights, and I&rsquo;m not fresh in the morning, but I&rsquo;m young&hellip; I&rsquo;ll figure it out. Sometimes I wish there was a way to get rid of this habit, but it&#39;s a big part of my life right now.&rdquo;&nbsp;

<a href="https://merisehat.pk/article/the-mental-health-impact-of-binge-watching">Binge watching</a>, or watching multiple episodes of a TV series in one sitting, has become a popular pastime in recent years. However, it can have negative impacts on sleep, which is an important factor in overall health and wellbeing. In this response, we will discuss how binge-watching impacts sleep and what can be done to mitigate these effects.

One way in which binge-watching impacts sleep is by delaying bedtime. When watching multiple episodes in a row, people may lose track of time and stay up later than they intended. This can result in a shorter sleep duration and less restful sleep, as the body may not have enough time to go through all the stages of sleep necessary for physical and mental restoration.

Another way in which binge-watching impacts sleep is through the effects of blue light on the body. Blue light is emitted by electronic screens, and it has been shown to suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. This can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep, leading to sleep disturbances and daytime fatigue.

Furthermore, the content of the shows being watched can also impact sleep. Many TV shows, especially those with suspenseful or violent content, can trigger an adrenaline response, making it harder to fall asleep. Additionally, shows with engaging storylines or cliff-hangers can leave viewers emotionally invested in the story and make it hard to turn off the screen and go to bed.

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Managing binging and sleep

So, what can be done to mitigate these effects? Here are some tips for managing the impact of binge watching on sleep: 
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<ul>
	<li>Set A&nbsp;Limit On Screen Time: Limit the amount of time spent watching TV, especially before bed. This will help to reduce exposure to blue light and give the body time to wind down before sleep.</li>
	<li>Use A&nbsp;Blue Light Filter: Use blue light filters on electronic devices or invest in a pair of blue light blocking glasses. This will help to reduce the impact of blue light on the body and make it easier to fall asleep.</li>
	<li>Stick To A&nbsp;Achedule: Set a regular bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends. This will help to regulate the body&#39;s natural sleep-wake cycle, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up.</li>
	<li>Avoid Shows That Are Too Engaging: Avoid watching TV shows that are too emotionally engaging or stimulating before bed. Choose shows that are more relaxing or light-hearted instead.</li>
	<li>Take Breaks: Take breaks in between episodes or seasons to give the body time to rest and recover. This will help to prevent fatigue and burnout, making it easier to fall asleep at night. 
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</ul>

Conclusion

&nbsp;Binge watching can have negative impacts on sleep, which is an important factor in overall health and wellbeing. To mitigate these effects, it is important to set limits on screen time, use blue light filters, stick to a regular sleep schedule, avoid engaging shows before bed, and take breaks in between episodes or seasons. By taking these steps, viewers can enjoy their favorite shows while still getting the sleep they need to feel rested and rejuvenated.

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