A TV binge is one of life’s greatest small pleasures. Is there anything better than having the time and space to watch back-to-back shows in the comfort of one’s own home? No. Unfortunately, science suggests that TV marathons might be harming an individual’s sleep.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that binge-watchers are more likely to be wired when they try to fall asleep. Researchers surveyed 423 young adults aged 18 to 25 about their regular TV viewing habits, binge-watching habits, sleep quality, fatigue levels, insomnia, and pre-sleep arousal (how awake/alert someone is before he or she falls asleep).
They defined binge-watching as “watching multiple consecutive episodes of the same television show in one sitting on a screen, be it a television, laptop, computer or tablet computer screen.”
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A full 80.6 percent of respondents said they binge-watch TV, and the researchers found that “higher binge viewing frequency was associated with a poorer sleep quality, increased fatigue and more symptoms of insomnia, whereas regular television viewing was not.”
It’s not totally surprising that hours in front of a screen would affect sleep patterns — after all, research has shown that the blue light emitted by electronics like phones, tablets, and computers can affect how the body releases melatonin. And melatonin, a hormone that helps tell the body it’s time to go to bed, is crucial to regulating circadian rhythms.
In layman’s terms, too much binge-watching can make it harder for a person to get to sleep.
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As for how to tackle this, the researchers recommend a couple of ideas. One is to warn people about the “excessive viewing duration” and how it could be affecting them. Another is to teach people how to wind down before bed to reduce alertness.
The study’s authors concluded: “Although sleep research is increasingly devoted to uncovering the effects of media on sleep, continued efforts are essential to monitor the dynamic relationship between leisure time and sleep.”
[Editor’s Note: The information provided should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical expert if one has questions related to one’s own health.]
Featured image: Enrique Arnaiz Lafuente/Shutterstock
Joe Auer
Joe Auer is the editor of Mattress Clarity. He mainly focuses on mattress reviews and oversees the content across the site.
He likes things simple and take a straightforward, objective approach to his reviews. Joe has personally tested nearly 250 mattresses and always recommends people do their research before buying a new bed. He has been testing mattresses for over 5 years now, so he knows a thing or two when it comes to mattress selection. He has been cited as an authority in the industry by a number of large publications.
Joe has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Columbia University.