We all know the feeling: after spending half an eternity searching for the right movie for the evening, you make yourself comfortable at home on the couch, pull the blanket up to your nose, press play and after a few minutes you are you’ll snore blissfully like a baby. That’s annoying because it’s not an isolated case and happens over and over again – no matter how interested you are in movie XY.
Several scientists have the opposite need help to prevent you from falling asleep while watching movies and series on the couch at home. 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 you don’t have to worry about longer movies until the credits roll, Aric Prather, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UC San Francisco, now has a few points that encourage dozing off while watching a movie. Starting with the sleep-inducing effects of alcohol:
If you are already a bit tired and then drink a glass of wine, the film in question must really offer a lot of suspense, otherwise you will quickly fall asleep. Stick to water, juices or soft drinks instead.
Better vegetable sticks than pizza
Extensive or very fatty meals can also be a problem, for example a large pizza, burger or Indian food: “Your body has this 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-based psychologist who specializes in insomnia.
Is your couch comfortable? Change that!
If you like to use the couch to take a nap anyway, your body is already trained to simply switch off in this place. Brittney Jones explains in this regard: that it is better to sit in the living room on a chair 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 commonplace. However According to Prather, the bed should only be for two things: “Sleep and sex.” If you also have trouble finding a regular sleep pattern, then movie nights in bed are definitely not the way to go as it can leave your body confused about what to do.
Always the remote control within reach
As Brittney Jones explains, it’s a good idea to have the remote handy to take short breaks to get the blood flowing faster, not just when you need to pee. Tips from the scientists are: “Grab some popcorn, have a drink, get some exercise.”
Let sleep happen
Sleep scientist Christine Blume, who works at the Center for Chronobiology in Switzerland, has some special advice for anyone who gets tired 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 releases the necessary energy to face the movie with the right energy.
Is the sleep deprivation more fundamental?
“If someone is sleep deprived and wants to watch a movie at night? Then those people may not be able to stay awake for 30 minutes after the movie starts,” Jones said. The psychologist suggests that the first thing you should do is find the rest you need and get rid of the lack of sleep, so you can watch movies again in the evening.
If you struggle with constant insomnia and find yourself falling asleep several times, even in broad daylight, you may have undiagnosed sleep apnea. In such a case, it is advisable to consult a doctor.