According to the study, any type of media\u2014surfing the internet and listening to music included\u2014was associated with poorer sleep quality (womp). However, gamers who stayed up late typically just shifted their wake time too. That means even though they weren\u2019t getting great<\/em> sleep, they were at least logging their usual amount of shut-eye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In an ideal world, you\u2019d turn off the console one to two hours before it\u2019s time to go to sleep. But if you\u2019re going to game before bed, you\u2019re going to game before bed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So how bad could the damage be when you mix video games and sleep, and what might you do to hack your habit for better Z\u2019s? We asked a sleep doctor to weigh in about how video games impact sleep. We also share a handful of better-for-your-sleep video games to help you unwind before bed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Blame just about everything you love about gaming for making it bad for your sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe last couple of hours before bedtime should be for winding down, but video games have many features that are not conducive to relaxation, including loud noises, adventure, suspense, interaction, and violence,\u201d says Stephanie M. Stahl<\/a>, MD, sleep medicine physician and assistant professor of clinical neurology at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, there\u2019s that blue light<\/a> problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe blue wavelength of light that is high in electronics reduces your brain\u2019s production of melatonin, a hormone which plays a role in regulating your sleep and fighting inflammation and infection,\u201d Stahl explains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As such, it\u2019s no surprise that some studies suggest video games could make it harder to fall asleep<\/a>, put a dent in sleep quality, lower time spent in slow-wave sleep and REM sleep (and, in turn, hurt your ability to store memories and, well, think <\/em>in the morning), and spur next-day tiredness and fatigue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All that said, research is a little mixed on just how bad the effect of video games could be on your sleep, and more high-quality, in-depth studies are needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One small study of 13 teenage boys that had them either play Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare<\/em>, a famously addictive first-person shooter game, <\/em>or watch the \u201cdecidedly tranquil\u201d nature documentary March of the Penguins<\/em> just before bed found that gamers only experienced a slight difference in subjective sleepiness<\/a> and how long it took them to fall asleep. Their sleep quality, though, was just fine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The researchers\u2019 takeaway? Video games in moderation before bed might be OK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The big problem seems to be cognitive arousal. Trying not to get killed or strategizing the next moves in a campaign could make it difficult to turn off and sink into a restful sleep, especially if you\u2019re new to a game or really into the storyline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also the matter of whether you\u2019re feeding an underlying sleep disorder (most study participants weren\u2019t struggling with untreated insomnia, for example) or just how much time you\u2019re spending in front of a flickering screen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fifty minutes might not disrupt your sleep all that much. Binging for two and a half action-packed hours, on the other hand, could have a significant effect on sleep time and quality<\/a>, a 2012 study published in the Journal of Sleep Research<\/em> suggests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you can\u2019t give up video games before bedtime, choose less stimulating, quieter, non-violent ones in the evening,\u201d says Stahl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Set a stop-playing-now alarm\u2014or better yet, use a plug-in shut-off timer\u2014if you, like many, are a bedtime procrastinator<\/a> these days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While more research is needed, blue light-blocking glasses that block out nearly 100% of the blue wavelength of light could also be worth an investment to possibly dial down the sleep-disrupting effects of late-night electronics use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In most circumstances, experts won’t recommend playing video games right before bed, Stahl included. But if you must, here are some picks that may help you relax in these stressful times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What better time to escape to a tropical island than in a pandemic? With Animal Crossing: New Horizons<\/em><\/a> for the Nintendo Switch, you\u2019re basically on vacation. Build your dream getaway, start a garden, go fishing, and get to know a huge cast of adorably charming characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s slow-paced, fun to look at, and comes with a relaxing soundtrack too. As one reviewer raves, \u201cthe game has provided all of us an enormous amount of happiness that comes with virtual peace in a current world where peace isn’t exactly front and center.\u201d (Check out these bedroom design tips you can use in Animal Crossing<\/em> and real life<\/a>.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Available on just about any device (Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, iOS, and Android), Stardew Valley<\/a> <\/em>makes for another cute, stress-free game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The story: You\u2019ve inherited a farm from your grandfather in a little rundown town. While there\u2019s plenty to do\u2014grow crops, date locals, forage, fish, and more\u2014you\u2019ve got all the time in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Miss hopping national parks and crave stunning views? Then this is the game for you. In Firewatch<\/em><\/a>, (available on PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch), you get to explore the gorgeous Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming, 1989. There, you take on the life of a lone fire lookout named Henry who slowly begins to unravel a mystery (!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sure, the narrative can pull you in, but it requires the most participation at the beginning and end of the game. In the middle, it\u2019s low-action enough that sleep should come pretty easy when you’re ready for an intermission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re one for gazing into the sunset, listening to ambient music, or meditating before bed, Journey<\/a> <\/em>(available on PC, Playstation 4, and iOS) should be on your horizon. Many say it’s one of the best video games of all time<\/a> for its simplicity, beauty, music, and story (but don\u2019t worry\u2014we won\u2019t spoil it for you!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The premise: You\u2019re a robed figure traversing a stunning desert landscape toward a faraway mountain. While you may meet other travelers, you can only communicate by singing in chimes, so there\u2019s no drama to distract from quality Z\u2019s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people wind down by blasting aliens into bits or exploring alternate realities, while others could just use a good laugh. If you\u2019re in that latter camp, try Untitled Goose Game<\/a> <\/em>(available on PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch). <\/p>\n\n\n\n You are a goose. A bad goose. Harass gardeners, steal umbrellas, and knock down lots of stuff. It\u2019s the essence of low-stakes fun\u2014and there\u2019s a two-player option now, so you and a partner can let off some steam together before settling into bed. Sweet dreams! <\/p>\n\n\n\nHow do video games affect sleep? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Best video games to play before bed <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Animal Crossing <\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"screengrab](\"https:\/\/images.prismic.io\/saatva-blog\/763530c7-7d8c-4bfb-95a9-17fb37c79573_video-games-and-sleep-animal-crossing.jpeg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,1000,563&w=1000&h=563\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStardew Valley <\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"screengrab](\"https:\/\/images.prismic.io\/saatva-blog\/325ff755-29c6-40f3-986e-4b62093cdb1e_video-games-and-sleep-stardew-valley.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,1000,563&w=1000&h=563\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFirewatch<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"screengrab](\"https:\/\/images.prismic.io\/saatva-blog\/99e7cc7d-91d9-4571-b26a-bffffa2fc093_video-games-and-sleep-firewatch.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,1000,565&w=1000&h=565\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJourney <\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"screengrab](\"https:\/\/images.prismic.io\/saatva-blog\/b7b958fa-da46-4798-892a-322383706f82_video-games-and-sleep-journey.jpeg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,1000,564&w=1000&h=564\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nUntitled Goose Game<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"screengrab](\"https:\/\/images.prismic.io\/saatva-blog\/ce994494-f080-4338-b395-198c60579a9f_video-games-and-sleep-untitled-goose-game.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,1000,559&w=1000&h=559\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n