Does Pre-Bed Video Gaming Ruin Your Sleep?

Video gaming is something of a national pastime among teenagers in the United States. One survey found that nearly 75% of teenage boys participate in some form of gaming^1

With so many of our  kids playing video games as a principle form of recreation, and so many of the video games being highly action-oriented and even violent, it’s natural to wonder how this stimulation can impact sleep. 

How Video Gaming Changes Sleep

Multiple studies have considered the impact of video gaming before going to bed. 

One study ^2 published in the journal Pediatrics found that children who played video games spent less time in deep, restorative (slow-wave) sleep. At the same time, their sleep-onset latency (the time it took them to fall asleep) increased. By contrast, just watching TV without interacting didn’t affect sleep patterns. 

A study ^3 from the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine observed the effects of pre-bedtime video game playing versus DVD watching on thirteen teenage boys. The data revealed that sleep-onset latency was greater and self-reported sleepiness was lower after video game playing than after watching a movie (learn more about sleep-onset latency and other sleep study terms here). However, the amount of time the teens spent in deep sleep did not significantly change for the two conditions. Overall, the study included that video game playing slightly reduced sleep quality. 

The amount of time that children spend playing a computer game is also significant. In another study ^4, teenage boys participated in either 50 or 150 minutes of gaming. Prolonged gaming reduced total sleep time by nearly half an hour and increased sleep latency and sleep efficiency.

Together, these studies seem to demonstrate that gaming before bed–especially excessive gaming–can moderately decrease sleep quality by lengthening the time it takes to fall asleep, decreasing time spent asleep, and reducing the amount of deep-stage sleep. However, these studies were short-term and had a small sample size. To really observe the effects of daily gaming on adolescent sleep, a long-term, large scale study would have to compare the sleep patterns of chronic gamers versus non-gamers. 

 

Video games increase the temptation to stay up late

Video games can introduce further sleep problems when teens spend time gaming instead of sleeping, leading to reduced sleep time. During adolescence, teens are biologically programmed to want to stay up late and wake up late; they are natural “night owls” ^5! Thus, excessive video playing in the evening provides an opportunity for teenagers to put off going to bed until late at night.

This is especially important because the second study referenced above found that teenagers are likely to report feeling less sleepy after video game playing. Therefore, nighttime gaming actually compounds the issue of delayed bedtime, keeping teens up until late at night.

 

A double whammy: artificial light

One of the things all these studies had in common was comparing video game playing to another form of electronic use. But using electronics at all can have a negative effect on sleep. The blue light emitted by electronic devices like phones, TVs, and computer screens interferes with sleep. This wavelength suppresses melatonin (the hormone that helps to regulate our circadian rhythm) more vigorously than other wavelengths. Many of the new energy efficient light sources (like those light bulbs you’re supposed to buy) including our favorite electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, TVs), produce high concentrations of this light.

Ideally, electronic consumption should be limited prior to going to bed. Overall, we recommend not playing video games (or using any electronics) for an hour before going to bed and following a regular sleep schedule. Save the video games for waking hours! 

Are you concerned that you or a loved one may have a sleep disorder? Take this daytime sleepiness quiz to find out if you’re at increased risk.

Sleepiness quiz

 

Sources: 

1) Rani A. Desai, PhD, MPH, et al. “Video-Gaming Among High School Students: Health Correlates, Gender Differences, and Problematic Gaming.” Pediatrics.
2) Dworak, Markus et al. “Impact of Singular Excessive Computer Game and Television Exposure on Sleep Patterns and Memory Performance of School-aged Children.” Pediatrics.
3) Weaver, Edward et al. “The Effect of Presleep Video-Game Playing on Adolescent Sleep.” Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
4) King, Daniel L. et al. “The impact of prolonged violent video-gaming on adolescent sleep: an experimental study.” Journal of Sleep Research.
5) Crowley, Stephanie J. et al. “Sleep, circadian rhythms, and delayed phase in adolescence.” Sleep Medicine.

Other posts you may find interesting:

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2015 and has been edited and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Comments

  1. Willy mc dilly Reply

    this sucks. take it off

    • willy mc dilly fan Reply

      willy mc dilly ur a god

    • gay Reply

      penis

    • no one Reply

      They didnt ask.

    • DQFanFeedback Reply

      I don’t even let my kids play video games at home, they do it at other people houses, but not here. They act like it’s horrible but I think it’s for the best!

  2. willy mc dilly fan appreciator Reply

    willy mc dilly fan ur a god

  3. willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan Reply

    willy mc dilly fan appreciator ur a god

  4. willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan follower Reply

    willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan ur a god

  5. willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan follower fan Reply

    willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan follower ur a god

    • willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan follower fan admirer Reply

      willy mc dilly fan appreciator fan follower fan yor a god

  6. THe original Willy mc dilly Reply

    Thank you to all of my fans, this saved my family from poverty

  7. hi Reply

    oh yeee

  8. Willy mc dilly the 3rd Reply

    this website makes me happy 😉

  9. Willy mc dilly the 3rd Reply

    hello everyone

  10. You suck Reply

    You suck smd lmaooo

  11. You suck smd Reply

    Smd lmaooooo

  12. You suck smd fag Reply

    You suck smd lmaooo

  13. You suck smd fag Reply

    BBC is the thing u choke on

  14. billy Reply

    fuck u

  15. your mom Reply

    HMU LMAO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ur gay ok?

  16. fuck me Reply

    fuck me right in the asshole huyeah

  17. not gay Reply

    not gay

  18. not gay Reply

    not gay

  19. herye Reply

    hey :]

  20. bailey delves Reply

    im gay and i like dick up the bum

  21. willy mcdilly? Reply

    waht the fuck is going on

  22. SOFA KING STEW PIT Reply

  23. niqqa fuk Reply

    penis suck

  24. Buttlicker 97 Reply

    I lick butts

  25. TheNewButtliker 97 Reply

    I think im a gay. i really like hariy asses. they have to be very hairy. And when i say very hair i mean grizzly bear hairy. i enjoy chewing on mens ass hair. No, i do not need help. its not an addiction its a hobby.

  26. Cream Party Reply

    you say you’re really hungry and you’re looking for a taste

    looking for a taste of my gnarly dick paste

  27. pablo Reply

    Why is it only for boys, there are girl gamers too.

  28. Jean Moe Reply

    So many of the video games being highly action-oriented and even violent, it’s natural to wonder how this stimulation can impact sleep.

  29. FUCK ASS BITCH SEXY NAKED PORN GIRLS FAN Reply

    FUCK all ass bitch you got no dick i sleep with you motherfucking girl naked evryday and i sex her ri
    ]\ght
    in the face

  30. Deep sea deep strocker Reply

    I have sex with juicy pieces of briskut. People call to be the Bootilicious brisket bruiser but I prefer either the jackfruit ejaculator or the papyrus penetrator. Racism against fruit ends now

  31. Deep sea deep stroker Reply

    I have sex with juicy pieces of briskut. People call to be the Bootilicious brisket bruiser but I prefer either the jackfruit ejaculator or the papyrus penetrator. Racism against fruit ends now

  32. Jack fruit Ejaculater Reply

    I love fruits, I have gone by many names, Orange obliterater, Aloe Annihilator, Papaya penetrator, but my favorite is Jack Fruit Ejaculator because it reminds me of the time I came so hard in a jackfruit that it started cracking and the pressure ended up burning a hole in the jack fruit because the jack fruit was so juicy, slimy, wet, and creamy.

  33. Jack fruit Ejaculater dad Reply

    “I love fruits, I have gone by many names, Orange obliterater, Aloe Annihilator, Papaya penetrator, but my favorite is Jack Fruit Ejaculator because it reminds me of the time I came so hard in a jackfruit that it started cracking and the pressure ended up burning a hole in the jack fruit because the jack fruit was so juicy, slimy, wet, and creamy” so proud of you son

  34. Uptomods Reply

    You can try downloading some games at Uptomods. Surely you will be satisfied with it.

  35. Techtoroms Reply

    Playing video games will make your eyes tired. So you will sleep easier

  36. stumble guys techupnew Reply

    Which part will affect your sleep? I think so

  37. world777 com Reply

    When fantasy sports first appeared in India, sports in that country could no longer be enjoyed as passive entertainment from the confines of a living room. Instead, fans and spectators could now come together and engage in their favorite sport as active world777 com players. Platforms for playing fantasy sports games have been around for the past 20 years, but they have only lately gained popularity online, particularly during the epidemic phase.

  38. areteitech.net Reply

    Great sir

  39. xana metaverse Reply

    Really a very good post. Always waiting for the new one.

  40. it cyber security course Reply

    I appreciate the way you shared the relevant, precious, and perfect information.

  41. pegatinas de pared Reply

    Wow, it is a very great information really it is a very helpful post. Nice.

  42. i love furry horse dicks in my ass Reply

    I really love furry penis in my ass. It feels so good to put a fluffy cock up my ass. I love it so much and i suck furry cocks with brother furry pussy tickler I also love to shove frozen popcicles up my anus on a really hot day to get cooled down and get rid of my horinest i leave them in there till they melt and its so soothing and theres this big black man jorge that rapes me but indont call it rape because i actually like that horse cock ofhis beacuse i can feel it in my stomach sometimes it tickles becuase all of the hairs and then i drug him and make out with him because he thinks he raping me and doesn’t know that i actually like it so i just let him his bbc is so big when i deepthroat it when it chokes me he could rap his whole dick around my throat and choke me while a furry fucks my ass and he has hairy ass armpits that i rub my dick on becasue it feels so good and he punts my dog as soon as he walks in to do it again and after i drug him i shove my cock into my dog sometimes my cat comes by and i do it to him to and i actually live on a farm so i go outside and take my horses dick and shove it up my ass and i get stuck most of the time and sometimes it almsot comes out of my throat and i can see the cum fly out of my mouth and all this use to happen every singleday till one day i accidently put my cock into the blender but jorge still fucks me and i shove my horses cock up my ass.

  43. cuphead Reply

    Children always prefer to be naughty than to go to sleep

  44. word puzzles Reply

    A good article, a good book can change the fate of so many people. Thanks for the valuable sharing, please keep it up to date and I will always follow you.

  45. Legenda para foto sozinha Reply

    Legenda para foto sozinha okay

  46. Visit Reply

    Okay

  47. usps tracking Reply

    This is a miracle for you! This is the most extraordinary article I have ever read. This has made my day significantly better today.

  48. Charlie moore Reply

    Really a very good post. Always waiting for the new one.

  49. GB WhatsApp Reply

    Good article thanks

  50. Jack Listens Reply

    As a rule i don’t let my kids game before bed, but I also limit them to 2 hours or less per day of gaming. I have them read for a half hour before bed instead, I think this is a great way to both develop their reading habits and relax for a good nights sleep!

  51. TellCulvers Reply

    This is a great article I’ll be sure to keep this in mind the next time I see my kids doing this!

  52. MyWawaVisit Reply

    I always try to avoid this because of blue light exposure i try to limit it so where i don’t use electronics for atleast an hour before i head to bed. Also if you don’t mind checking the survey above i would appreciate that!

  53. SurveyMemo Reply

    Firing up the console right before bed might seem relaxing, but it can actually disrupt your sleep. Gaming can trick your brain into staying alert with stimulating visuals and sounds, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Aim for a more calming pre-sleep routine to ensure you’re well-rested for the next day.

  54. jemsh Reply

    Introducing our instagram video downloader Tool! Effortlessly save and enjoy your favorite IG video offline

Leave a Comment