Our world is changing rapidly. Often times, for the better. Advancing technology provides new opportunity for us to stay informed, connected, entertained, and engaged. Technology is becoming smaller, lighter, and more portable. And these are good things. I fully embrace the opportunity that they provide.
But an unintentional side effect of the ever-increasing portability of our devices is technology addiction. It continues to make inroads into areas of our lives where it offers more distraction and harm than benefit. Dinner tables, conversations, and relationships just to name a few. Because of this, it is wise for us to take opportunity to pull back and evaluate if there are areas of our life where technology is doing more harm than good.
With that as the backdrop, is it possible there are areas of our homes that would benefit from the absence of technology (TV, Laptops, iPads, Video games) too? Mindfulness and scientific research seem to support this assumption.
Benefits of a Technology-Free Bedroom
1. More/Better Sleep.
The studies on this issue continue to surface on a consistent basis. The more TV people watch before bedtime, the less sleep they get. In this case, studies confirm what we already know to be true: the lure of the screen is just too strong for many to turn off. Additionally, artificial light exposure between dusk and the time we go to bed makes it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
2. More Conversation.
For married couples, some of your most important, intimate conversations will take place in your bedroom during the waning hours of the day… unless of course, the laptop is sitting on your lap instead.
3. More Conscious Reflection.
The evening provides valuable opportunity to meditate, evaluate, and assess your day. This examination leads to better learning from our mistakes and growing as humans. It is a far worthier cause than pursuing entertainment—and the exchange of it is a foolish transaction.
4. More/Better sex.
Couples who keep a TV in the bedroom have sex half as often as those who don’t. And spouses who choose to interact with one another on an emotional level have better, more fulfilling sex. In other words, there are more stimulating behaviors available in the bedroom than playing Angry Birds.
5. More Reading.
Light reading in the evening helps many fall asleep faster. But even if it doesn’t help you sleep, the benefits of reading still far outweigh the benefits of mindless technological consumption. Removing the television, laptop, Ipad, or phone from your bedroom will almost always naturally encourage more reading in your life.
6. More Mindfulness in the Morning.
Others have covered this topic well: there are good reasons not to check your email first thing in the morning. Additionally, checking Facebook/Twitter before putting your feet on the floor could be argued against with the same rationale.
7. More Relationship within Family.
At any age, removing technology from bedrooms fosters interaction. I’m not against the use of technology in our homes, I do it everyday. But rather than retiring to our separate bedrooms for homework, Internet-surfing, television, or video games, keeping technology in the living areas of our homes encourages greater interaction. It also aids in monitoring the online activities of our children.
8. Less Sleep-Texting.
The fact that our world is experiencing a rise in people sending revealing and embarrassing texts in their sleep ought to give us pause to seriously reconsider the habits we have embraced.
9. Less Accessibility.
Few of us need to live our lives accessible to others at all times of the day. Text alerts, Facebook notifications, Twitter mentions, and emails are often nothing more than distractions that keep us from the world right in front of us. They clutter our mind with nonessential information. Keeping your bedroom as a notification-free zone results in a more peaceful, engaged, calming environment. And it allows space for our minds to separate from the day’s activities.
10. Less of the Emotions Attached to Social Media.
The studies are not healthy. People who spend time on social media tend to experience higher levels of envy, loneliness, frustration, and anger. Social media interaction holds some benefit. But if we can intentionally remove these unhealthy emotions from our bedroom, I’ll argue for that any day.
11. Rooms serve purposes.
Rooms serve purposes: kitchens are for cooking, dining rooms are for eating, and offices are for working. The better we define those rooms and their purposes, the more productive they become. Use your bedroom for better relaxation, sleep, and sex by taking the laptops, video games, and televisions out of them.
The idea of a technology-free bedroom is a counter-cultural thought. And for many, the typical response to the idea of embracing it will be met with all the reasons it is simply not possible:
- “My phone is my alarm clock.”
- “I need to check the weather in the morning.”
- “I read on my Ipad in bed.”
- “I have to watch my TV or I can’t fall asleep.”
But the benefits of a technology-free bedroom should not be overlooked and dismissed so quickly. Besides, most of our excuses can be overcome with some creative thinking and extra intentionality—which help stand as another important reminder: Technology ought to serve us, not the other way around.
Cassandra Poulin says
Does this mean that you disagree with the tiny house movement? Many tiny houses are completely open concept, where he bedroom, office, kitchen, living room etc. are all melded into one area. Do you think this tiny house layout is problematic?
ralf says
Just 2 technologies in my bedroom. My watch and a light. We go to bed at 9pm. No need for an alarm clock.
And another one: heating blanket to save on room heating. Just 60W.
ralf says
Blue light keeps you awake.
Technology in the bedroom is bad feng shui.
According to feng shui rules a mirror should not face the bed.
Wendy says
I definitely agree with everything above but my phone is my alarm clock and my iPad is my kindle…
Justine says
All points are very true, we have no tv’s in any bedrooms, no tv in the kitchen or dining room. I have removed social media off my phone enabling me to relax more and focus on the more important things in life. Not worrying how has posted what on Facebook. I now feel a lot better for it and only go on Facebook via a computer and make it brief too. These articles are fantastic
Matt Luat says
Great article! This is something that I need to do a better job of, and I need to do a better job of getting my SO on board as well.
It’s something that we struggle with – being so immersed in technology day in and day out. So I can certainly see the value in letting go. Thanks for the writeup.
Fiona Cee says
Well, number 4 is not an issue and number 8, i can’t imagine. the rest to me are valid enough.
Deborah says
Living in a tiny house does not always give someone a separate area for sleep yet the concept is interesting.
Shirly Oh says
Recently I have removed the mobile phone (which I used it for my daily alarm) from the bedroom and replaced it with an alarm clock instead. I find it so refreshing and free-ing in many ways. Previously when the mobile alarm went off, I would automatically check the messages and one thing led to another. Now I will take time to savor every moment. I definitely sleep better and wake up feeling more energized! Thanks for sharing.
Jim says
I agree, I’ve been trying to influence my spose to keep her laptop out of our bedroom. She gives me different excuses, but I know we could be more to each other if we did what you are saying.
Thanks