Scientists Explain: How to Avoid Falling Asleep on the Couch While Watching a Movie!

We all know the feeling: after spending half an eternity choosing the right movie for the evening, you sit down on the couch at home, pull the blanket up to your nose, press play – and then After a few minutes you will be snoring like a baby again. This is annoying because it’s not an isolated case and happens over and over again, no matter how interested you are in movie XY.

But there’s good news: several scientists have the opposite opinion Help is provided to prevent you from falling asleep while watching films and series at home on the couch. So if you really want to watch ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ soon: this is how it works for the full four hours!

Alcohol? Not a good idea

So that in the future you don’t have to worry about watching longer films until the end credits, Aric Prather, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UC San Francisco, has a few points , which encourage dozing off while watching movies. Starting with the drowsy effects of alcohol:

If you are already a little tired and then drink a glass of wine, the film in question must offer absolute excitement, otherwise you are guaranteed to sleep quickly. It is better to stick to water, juices or soft drinks.

Better vegetable sticks instead of pizza

Extensive or very fatty meals, such as a large pizza, burger or Indian food, can also be a problem: “Your body has a relaxation response that can occur after large meals. “I would say go for something smaller, whether it’s a snack or a small meal,” says Brittney Jones, an Atlanta psychologist who specializes in insomnia.

Is your sofa comfortable? Change that!

If you already like to use the couch to take a nap, your body is already trained to simply switch off in this spot. Brittney Jones explains in this regard: that it is better to sit on a chair in the living room that is not as comfortable as the sofa.

Watching a movie in bed? Good night!

For many people, watching movies or series in bed is not only tempting, but also common. However According to Prather, the bed should only be for two things: “sleep and sex.” If you have trouble finding a regular sleep schedule, movie nights in bed are definitely not the best choice because it can leave your body confused about what to do.

Always keep the remote control within reach

As Brittney Jones explains, it’s advisable to have the remote control at hand so you can take short breaks and get your blood flowing again – and not just when you need to go to the toilet. Tips from the scientists are: “Buy some popcorn, drink something, get some exercise.”

Let sleep happen

Sleep scientist Christine Blume, who works at the Center for Chronobiology in Switzerland, has special advice for anyone who regularly experiences fatigue while watching movies: ‘I wouldn’t try to stay awake. Give your body what it clearly needs.” And maybe it’s just a little power nap that frees up the necessary strength to face the film with the right energy.

Is the sleep deprivation more fundamental?

“What if someone is sleep deprived and wants to watch a movie in the evening? Then these people might not even be able to stay awake half an hour after the movie starts,” says Jones. The psychologist suggests that first and foremost you find the rest you need and get rid of the lack of sleep so that you can watch movies again in the evening.

If you consistently experience sleep problems and find yourself falling asleep multiple times, even in broad daylight, you may have undiagnosed sleep apnea. In such a case it is advisable to consult your doctor.