Should you have a TV in the bedroom?
You can have one, but try not to make it the routine for the last hour or two before sleep. Screen light before bed delays sleep; setting a "TV off" time cuts most of the effect.
Indirect evidenceWhy it feels uncomfortable
In one study, people who read on a light-emitting e-reader before bed took longer to fall asleep, had lower evening melatonin and were less alert the next morning than those reading printed books (Chang et al. 2015). A TV is farther away than a phone, so its light matters a little less, but "just one more episode" keeping you up is the bigger problem.
What tradition says
Feng shui says a bedroom should be quiet and dark; something as bright and noisy as a TV shouldn't face the bed.
Three ways to fix it
- Do it nowUse the TV's sleep timer, for example half an hour before you want to sleep.
- Move some furnitureMove the TV from straight across from the bed to the side, and watch sitting up rather than lying down.
- If you can't change itFor a clean break, move it to the living room and keep a paper book in the bedroom.
FAQ
Is a projector better?
Projectors are usually softer, and once you put it away the bedroom goes back to being for sleep. It's a reasonable middle ground.
Does the TV's red standby light matter?
Not much, but if you're sensitive to light, a small piece of tape makes the room darker.
Related questions
Sources
This page draws on traditional ideas about the home and on environmental psychology research. It is for everyday reference, makes no predictions, and is not medical advice. If you sleep badly for a long time, please talk to a doctor.