11/15/2025
We’ve all been there—“just five more minutes” of scrolling on Instagram or TikTok before bed, only to find ourselves wide awake an hour later. Here’s the scoop: staying on social media and news feeds right before sleep can mess with both your mind and your sleep rhythm.
Here’s what science shows:
📱Late-night screen use suppresses the hormone melatonin, which signals to your body that it’s time to rest. The result: harder time falling asleep and less restful sleep.
📱The content matters just as much as the light—consuming alarming or negative posts triggers your stress system (hello cortisol!) and keeps your brain in “alert” mode when it should be preparing for rest.
📱The endless scroll feeds into a loop of negative content, which increases anxiety and can make you feel worse—not better—before bed.
What you can do tonight:
📱Aim to stop screen use at least 30 minutes before bed. Switch your phone off and give your mind a “cool-down” period.
📱Replace the scroll with a calming activity: reading a light book, journaling, or simply lying in bed with your eyes closed and deep-breathing.
📱Move your phone away from the bed (out of reach helps!) so the temptation disappears.
📱If you must use your phone later, switch to “night mode” or a warm-tone screen and choose something relaxing (not a news feed or endless reels).
📱Remind yourself: this isn’t about cutting off news or social entirely—it’s about protecting your pre-sleep zone so your brain and body can reset properly.
Your bed should be a place for rest, not for scrolling into distress. Tonight, give your mind the gift of pause.