screen time before bed
I have been trying to get my internet addiction under control. I'd like to get to the point where I don't check anything online to start with, a half hour before bed. However, I still have this need to check facebook, instagram, and youtube before I sleep. And I need to have a video playing in order for me to sleep.
I want to do this because I wake up lots throughout the night and i think thats the cause because thats what I mindlessly do as soon as I wake up.
Any suggestions on how to do this?
@ambitiousSpruce6173 Would you be willing to shut off your phone entirely 30-60 mins before bed? It's so much easier to check your phone when it's powered on. And maybe distract yourself with a good book, drawing, etc
I've had this problem too before.
Something I did which massively helped was to install a chrome extension called "StayFocusd" onto my laptop. It was designed to block certain time wasting sites if people find them distracting when they are at work, like social media; however, it does also let you choose which sites to block or allow, so it can be made to be fairly flexible. I have mine set so that it won't let me assess social media, and other time wasting sites, during the late evening and night.
Anyway, I just thought I'd mention it, in case something like that would be helpful for you.
I have to leave me phone in another room. I ended up buying a normal alarm clock for my bedroom to ensure I wouldn't get spazzed out about not being able to check the time on my phone. If I take my phone into my room, either the vibrating from messages and tweets and all that wakes me up, or I check my phone at some random time for no real reason.
@DaveMcGrath That sounds like a good solution!
@resourcefulPond1641
Have you made any progress? I'm currently working to shut off all my devices about 2 hours before bed for about a week to see how or if my sleep improves.
@DaveMcGrath Thanks for asking. Yeah, it's slow progress, but I feel like I have seen some improvement. I think until people actually try and stop using the internet as much, they don't relise just how addicted to it they are.
I've been to turn everything off for an hour at some point during the day when I'd normally be using the internet, and I find I still struggle doing it for the full hour everyday. The more I practice doing it, the easier it should get though, hopefully. 
@resourcefulPond1641
I stopped going full throttle for my own plan to have a 2 or more hour a day no screen time. I have too much going on right now to figure it out. However, I do like having a nice quiet hour before bed where I walk the dog, tidy up a bit around the house, put things away, and read a little.
One thing I'm definitely doing, or will start doing, is getting some night lights. I have way too much light in my house and from what I'm reading it causes difficulties getting to bed. So a small nightlight in every room that I use will reduce the amount of light significantly and keep me from tripping on my refridgerator.
@DaveMcGrath Yeah getting a blue light filter, like f.lux, on your computer can really help. It's the blue light from screens that stops your brain being able to produce enough melatonin at the correct times.
@resourcefulPond1641\
flux works wonders, the night lights I bought today are working great as well. I really dislike the idea of walking into walls because I can't see. These little lights take care of that entirely, without causing me sleep problems.
