For most people, unwinding means binge-watching their favorite web series. Relaxing doesn’t always imply sleeping. It can also be cuddling up in front of the TV holding a hot mug of your favorite beverage. Binge-watching is a good stress reliever but it comes with its own limitations. It can affect your sleep, and change the whole sleeping cycle. It is important to know why binge-watching leads to serious consequences.
What Is Binge-Watching?
Binge-watching refers to the practice of watching tv series or multiple episodes of the show in one sitting. Recent events demonstrate that the popularity of internet streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and others lead to the rise of Bing watching.
Rather than reducing stress, it causes some serious problems like insomnia and sleep procrastination.
Why Does Binge-Watching Feel Good?
Today, most individuals lead a demanding and stressful life, which prompts them to look for ways to de-stress. Watching TV series makes people happy and lets them indulge in a different world. When engaging in favorite activities, the brain produces dopamine, a natural chemical that activates the pleasure zones and motivates people to engage in such activities.
Naturally, the brain won’t refuse such pleasurable activities, hence it ends up in pseudo addiction, a drug-like feeling.
How Binge-Watching Affects Your Sleep Routine?
Watching tv continuously may impact your health, you must know why and how it ruins your health. Most of the reasons are connected to your body’s biological clock.
Circadian Rhythm
Circadian Rhythm refers to the daily cycle of physical, mental, and behavioral changes that happens over the course of the day. It includes the sleep-wake cycle, hormonal changes, and body temperature.
The light and sound produced by the TV and other gadgets might trick the brain to assume it is in a different part of the sleep-wake cycle.
Blue Light
Blue light is one kind of visible light spectrum i.e., what is visible to the human eye. The visible light on the spectrum varies in the range of colors from red to purple. Sunlight is the natural source of blue light whereas TV, fluorescent light, computer, phones, and scenes are artificial sources.
Continuous exposure to blue light may cause serious damage to the eyes and vision problems. It affects the sleeping pattern and circadian rhythm. Additionally, it influences melatonin levels and the body’s attentiveness.
Eye Strain
Your eyes blink less while staring at the phone. The motion picture causes difficulty to the eyes. Sitting close to the TV and watching videos on mobile phones will strain your eyes.
Time Management
Experts advise avoiding handheld gadgets and electronic devices a few hours before bedtime. It is also good to limit light exposure before going to bed.
Follow these easy steps for peaceful sleep.
Setting Boundaries
Limit the number of episodes you binge-watch. It really hard to stop abruptly hence set a limit. Watch one episode in the morning and another in the afternoon or in the evening. Avoid watching at night time.
Bedtime Routine
Follow a bedtime routine, where you can sleep and wake at similar times each day. Even on the weekends and on holidays, keep to a schedule.
Relaxation Techniques
Try to take a break between the episodes, which might relax your eyes. An effective breathing exercise could relax your mind and reduces muscle strain.
Tips to Binge-Watch and Not Ruin Your Sleep
It is hard to skip the thrilling episodes of your favorite web series. Here we have simple tips to watch the series and not ruin your sleep
Bluelight-Blocking Glasses
Bluelight-blocking glasses are specially designed to prevent your eyes from damaging. It has tints and special coatings to block harmful rays. Try out while exposed to electronic screens.
Lower the Volume
If you wish to binge-watch, decrease the volume of your electronic gadget. A quiet atmosphere will reduce sleeping disruptions.
Limit Screen Brightness
As a matter of fact, reducing blue light exposure will aid in balancing your sleep cycle. Limit the intensity of blue light, thus you can lessen the damage.
An average adult needs 7 to 8 hours of sleep to be productive and healthy. In case you sacrifice your sleep for binge-watching it might lead to serious problems. You don’t need to quit watching series, however, these tips will help you manage your sleep routine.
