Does this scenario sound familiar?
You are next to your partner in bed, hoping to cuddle, maybe even hoping for sex. You lose all hope once the familiar sound of their instant messenger or the glow of the blue screen permeates the bedroom as they proceed to turn over and answer their e-mails or chat on Facebook.
I'm willing to bet there are many who find themselves in this position many nights a week. Now, I'm in no way saying that technology does not have a place in our lives. I use it as much as anyone else. However, when it comes to the bedroom, I draw the line. I like to unplug before I go to sleep. That may sound a little old-fashioned, but there are many benefits to be found by simply taking technology out of the bedroom. Here are six great reasons to unplug your devices.
Rooms serve a purpose: kitchens are for cooking; offices for working; and bedrooms are designed for relaxing, sleeping, and doing the horizontal tango. The better we define our spaces and their purposes, the more productive they become. Leaving laptops, cell phones, and televisions outside the bedroom leads to better relaxation, sleep and sex. That can't be a bad thing, can it?
There are many studies that show that the more TV people watch before bedtime, the less sleep they get. Many of us fall asleep while watching TV. Exposure to artificial light is proven to impact the quality of our sleep. Sleep is the body's time to rejuvenate itself. Without quality sleep, it is likely that you are more irritable and less productive the following day. By unplugging before bed, you are likely to get better sleep. Try reading instead of watching TV. Erotica is a great choice, which leads us to the next benefit of unplugging the bedroom ...
There are plenty of studies that indicate that couples who keep a TV in the bedroom have sex half as many times as those who don't. Now, include that with the fact that partners who are more connected on an emotional level are more likely to have better sex. If finishing that game of Farm Heroes Saga or answering a Facebook post seems more important than sex, it maybe time to take a look at the next benefit.
There was a time when going to bed was a time for couples to cuddle, reconnect, and discuss the important decisions of the past and the future. It's hard to do that when your partner is busy playing Candy Crush or answering a text. Bedtime can be, and perhaps should be, used as a time of reflection and connection with your partner as opposed to your cell phone or laptop. By leaving these electronics outside of the bedroom, you are more likely to become more connected to your partner, both emotionally and physically.
Social media has its times and place. For me, this does not include the bedroom. There are studies that indicate that social media interaction can lead to higher levels of jealousy, loneliness, and frustration. There are, of course, some benefits to social media. However, if we can keep these negative emotions out of our bedroom, we are more likely to reconnect with the partner we have now.
Cell phones are an instant form of communication. They create a sense of urgency that is often false. Unless you have a sick relative in the hospital, no one really needs or is likely to call you at 3 a.m. The same can be said of emails. We live in a culture that says we should reply to our emails immediately. Wouldn't your time be better served getting a good night's sleep?
The thought of a technology-free bedroom is not always a popular one, but there are many benefits to unplugging at night. Embracing the idea might take some time, and when I suggest this idea to people, I tend to get the following responses:
If going cold turkey is not something that you are prepared to do when it comes to bedroom technology, why not try it for a month and see how things go? You could start by removing one item at a time. You never know. If a little less Candy Crush means better sleep and more sex, isn't it worth a shot?
