topic Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP in Community Chat

GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 19:17:40 GMT

To wind down, I usually read for an hour or two at bedtime.

Lately, I've been playing a couple online word games late at night ... and am wondering if this could be connected to my taking longer to fall asleep.

Of course, it could be something else, but I'd love your feedback. If you play games late at night, do they help you wind down ... or stimulate your brain and make it more difficult to fall asleep?

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

catmama — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 20:01:16 GMT

I play word games, card games and hidden object games but generally don't play after 7pm. Probably because I've read that you should not use your computer or watch tv before you go to bed. I do however read for about an hour before I turn out the lights.

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

nwbabs — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 20:02:32 GMT

Late night games seem to keep me awake longer @Tinkrbl44

Reading usually eases me to sleep gradually.

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

Zhills — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 20:07:42 GMT

I think it depends on the person. I often play Scrabble to relax!

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

jlkz — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 20:20:39 GMT

@Tinkrbl44

I will play Words with Friends before bedtime as we eat quite late. If I can't get back to sleep after I get up for bathroom visit, I will play WWF and soon get sleepy enough to go back to bed.

if all else fails, I make a cup of Twinings Tea.

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

Goodie2shoes — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 20:25:07 GMT

I watch TV AND play candy crush and about 5 other games on my Tablet at night sometimes awake unti 2 am. I have to make myself stop playing games so I can fall asleep. My TV stays on all night turned down low ( no complaints voiced because it's something I have been doing for years)

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

catter70 — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 20:29:35 GMT

I have no advise, but notice when you post your cute pics it's very late at night. I usually check them out around 4:30 or 5 a.m.

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

Spacrazy — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 20:35:39 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

To wind down, I usually read for an hour or two at bedtime.

Lately, I've been playing a couple online word games late at night ... and am wondering if this could be connected to my taking longer to fall asleep.

Of course, it could be something else, but I'd love your feedback. If you play games late at night, do they help you wind down ... or stimulate your brain and make it more difficult to fall asleep?

@Tinkrbl44 ... try relaxing music 🎶

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

wagirl — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 20:36:56 GMT

I find that turning off all electronic devices an hour or 2 before I turn out the lights, helps me get to sleep faster. Its the blue light that stimulates your brain. I do watch TV but that is far from my bed.

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 21:12:59 GMT

@catter70 wrote:
I have no advise, but notice when you post your cute pics it's very late at night. I usually check them out around 4:30 or 5 a.m.

@catter70

I'm on Pacific time, which explains part of it .... lol.

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

BirkiLady — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 21:31:05 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
I find that turning off all electronic devices an hour or 2 before I turn out the lights, helps me get to sleep faster. Its the blue light that stimulates your brain. I do watch TV but that is far from my bed.

@wagirl

Interesting comment!

Kirsten has mentioned she has a red light in her bedroom, instead of blue, which is on all the time "because it promotes good sleep."

Her comment made me laugh! Then, totally confused me.

Do you have any information on blue lights vs. red lights and sleeping? It's something I never considered.

I read in bed for a couple of hours, turn off the light and sleep like a baby!

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

San Antonio Gal — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 22:14:26 GMT

We played Monopoly the other night with our grandchild and it did not affect me falling asleep at all. Fell asleep right away.

Being on the computer at night does not affect me falling asleep either.

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

faeriemoon — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 22:38:45 GMT

@Zhills wrote:
I think it depends on the person. I often play Scrabble to relax!

Me too.

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

SilleeMee — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 23:52:33 GMT

Any device in my bedroom with blue lights on it gets a piece of tape placed over it. My digital clock has red illumination so that's okay. My streaming device emits a green light on the back even when it's not turned on so I put a piece of tape over that, too. Blue light is offensive when it comes to sleep. It tricks the brain to stay awake.

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

SaveTheTurtles — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:28:10 GMT

I always thought computers were brain stimulating so should be avoided before bed.

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

SilleeMee — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:32:52 GMT

@SaveTheTurtles wrote:
I always thought computers were brain stimulating so should be avoided before bed.

Use the 'night light' mode setting. I have mine turned on all the time b/c it blocks blue light and makes it easy on the eyes with less eye strain.

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

Desertdi — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:51:08 GMT

I can sleep "on command"...

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

OneHappyHiker — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 01:41:57 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
I can sleep "on command"...

@Tinkrbl44 I'm like @Desertdi and sleep as soon as I hit the pillow! BUT... I know I absolutely cannot listen to music I love or I will have that song swirling in my brain all night long! So I try not to listen to or watch music shows late at night. I also don't go to bed until I'm good and tired. I've played games I want, watched TV, read, chatted with hubby or texting people, played with our pup.... done all that before I settle into watching "a few minutes" of TV... which turns into the inevitable 30 minutes lol... then I'm ready to sleep!

So I guess I would say a gradual decompressing is the way I am doing it. Exercising and keeping busy throughout the day is also one way to tire yourself out. Then I find I sleep like a baby.

Hope all these suggestions help!

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

Puggywuggy — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 02:00:09 GMT

I play word games as well but I found that I must put them away at least an hour before bedtime in order to unwind and let my mind rest prior to sleeping.

Re: GAMES, BRAIN ACTIVITY AND FALLING ASLEEP

LuvSoCal — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 02:28:57 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 Everything that I have read regarding good sleep habits indicates that all electronic devices should be turned off at least 1 hour before bed...no tv, I pad, computer etc. (too stimulating). I love a good book so that's what I focus on before going to sleep.