We all know the recommendation not to spend too long on a screen if you want a good night’s sleep… but hey, let’s face it, most of us ignore that. When you’ve hit the end of a long day, playing a short game can be an effective way to relax, detach from any stressors, and set yourself up for a good night. That said, you need to take the right approach – so let’s check out the top tips for this.
Keep It Simple
Sprawling sagas with long cutscenes, vast backstories, and complex mechanics? Strike them off the list. Yes, they’re fun, but there’s a time and a place – and bedtime isn’t that time or place. These games require too much mental investment and are likely to keep you up long after midnight.
Instead, swap the vast games for some simpler options. Many people turn to tap-based games for this, meaning that they can curl up in bed with their phones, dim lights, and simple mechanics. There are lots of options available, with popular mobile-first hold and win slot games being particularly suited to this kind of setup.
They’re easy to play on a small screen, and pretty much all slots these days are available on any halfway decent smartphone or tablet. The touch-based controls tend to make them more fluid and intuitive, which is always a good thing.
What’s more, you don’t need to worry about any complex features – most of these games are enormously simple.
The hold and win element confuses some people, but really, this is just a bonus mechanic that adds a little extra flavor to the game. In most cases, if you land the requisite number of bonus symbols, you’ll enter a round where key symbols are locked in place, and you get a certain number of respins to fill up the blanks. When you get to the end of the respins, the value of your locked symbols gets added up to figure out the prize.
None of that really means more work on your part – just more potential to win. And the other benefit of slot games? They’re very short games, meaning you can play until you feel the first signs of sleepiness, then close the game easily, and settle down.
You might also choose light puzzle games or word games for getting settled with. Opt for stuff that isn’t too complex, so your brain can unwind and start to move toward sleep.
Lower The Lights
Light has a big impact on how we sleep, and the first thing you should do if you’re trying to get settled is opt for reduced lighting. That means on the screen as well as in the room – and in fact, this is a big element. You might already know blue light can keep you up? That’s why flipping on night mode or a blue light filter is definitely a smart idea here. Do this before you start gaming, increasing your chances of becoming sleepy fast.
Dim the lights in the rest of the room too. It’s good to have some light besides the screen, but go for a single low lamp, or maybe an LED string, and you’ll be better set to get comfy. It’s also smart to have a remote if you can’t reach the switch, so you don’t have to get up again when you’re ready to start dozing.
Get Cozy
Being comfortable is one of the best ways to ensure you’ll doze off, so think about your space before you settle down. Pick soft, loose clothes – a t-shirt if you’re not a PJs person, or a comfortable tank top and some soft pants.
A couple of supportive pillows are also a must, especially if you’ll be sitting up to see your screen better for a while. You don’t want to end up hunched over your phone, giving yourself a stiff neck. Instead, lie back, prop your phone on a stand or opt for a laptop, and enjoy luxuriating in true comfort.
Put On Soft Music
Okay, games have their own music. Yes, it’s good. But on the whole, it’s not all that conducive to sleep (bar the odd exception). However, it’s thought that calming music can be an excellent way to set yourself up for a good night’s rest.
Different people find different tracks soothing. Maybe you enjoy rain and thunderstorm sounds, or the noise of a fire crackling. Perhaps gentle piano soothes you. The sound of waves on the shore can also be extremely effective.
Try a few different tracks and see which ones feel the most effective. Turn down the volume of your game – or even flick it off entirely if it’s not adding much – and soak in the gentle ambience of a soothing soundtrack. You might find your eyes getting heavy sooner than you would otherwise expect! If you pick a track that reduces your stress, you may even manage to improve your REM sleep.
