Struggling with Sleep? Here’s What Experts Say
Staying up late to catch “another episode” is a well-known excuse for delaying bedtime. With shows like “Love Island” on Peacock airing nearly every evening, the pressure to finish the latest drama and chat about it the next day only seems to rise.
Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist from California and founder of the Amen Clinic, emphasizes that while binge-watching might be tempting, it can wreak havoc on our sleep and brain health. He points out that sacrificing sleep just to watch one more episode could leave you with just 30 minutes or an hour of rest.
As he shared in an interview, making significant decisions the following day might not be wise, as your mind isn’t fully “cleared.” This can increase the likelihood of poor decision-making.
Amen stresses the importance of prioritizing sleep, declaring it “absolutely essential.” During sleep, he explains, our brains essentially “clean and wash” themselves.
Doctors highlight that a good night’s sleep enhances memory, energy levels, focus, and even blood flow for the next day.
Amen suggests a small but impactful change: “If you want to improve your memory tomorrow, consider going to bed just 30 minutes earlier tonight. You can always record shows or catch them the next day.”
“If you want to get better tomorrow, go to bed 30 minutes earlier tonight.”
Amen also raises a thought-provoking question: “How much do you love yourself?” He advises that making the right choices for your well-being isn’t about depriving yourself.
Doctors recommend adopting a mindset that values energy, memories, focus, passion, purpose, and overall health. Amen believes that it’s not about what you can’t indulge in but rather about the abundance of what you want for your brain.
Moreover, he warns that exposure to screens and blue light before sleeping can hinder melatonin production, affecting sleep quality. Scrolling mindlessly can also increase stress levels, as there’s often a fear of missing out.
To improve your sleep, experts recommend attaching blue light blockers to devices after sunset to facilitate a more peaceful night’s rest.
