Smart beds with built-in TVs are gaining popularity in today's tech-savvy society They eliminate the need for space and discreetly house TV equipment while still providing luxurious comfort and support

While all of the sleepers in our top picks for this year's best mattresses focus on support and comfort, smart beds with built-in TVs cater to a lifestyle that combines relaxation and media consumption, along with an immersive surround sound experience It offers luxury

In terms of sleep health, however, TV smart beds have a dark side Inevitably, screen time in bed is encouraged, and studies have shown that this reduces sleep quality Here we look at how TV-integrated smart beds affect sleep, why you should (or should not) avoid screens before bed, and how to perfect your bedtime routine

Smart beds are primarily used to track sleep quality, ultimate comfort, and convenience Some of their features include firmness adjustment, temperature control, heart rate monitoring, and sleep cycle tracking

It is customizable, generates personalized sleep reports, offers advice on improving sleep quality, and can be accessed through compatible mobile apps; some smart beds are programmed with AI, while others are operated by remote control

TV beds are a type of smart bed that incorporates a TV within the structure Usually, a retractable TV is housed in the footboard, and the TV can be shown or hidden by an electric mechanism or manual lift

There is no denying that smart beds with TVs are innovative furniture It is especially advantageous for urban dwellers who live in small apartments with limited space Experts often explain that a cleaner bedroom will help them fall asleep faster

The debate over the impact of watching TV before bed on sleep quality is still ongoing, with different studies showing different results

Some studies show that blue light is not as bad for sleep as one might think, only delaying sleep by 27 minutes Other experts warn against using screens one to two hours before bed, saying that blue light emitted by screens can interfere with melatonin production, making it more difficult to get into a deep and restorative sleep Reduced sleep quality can lead to fatigue and cognitive decline the next day

Current sleep guidelines recommend no screen use for one to two hours before bedtime However, according to a new study by experts at the University of Otago, it is not so much the timing but rather where one uses digital devices before sleep The study is titled “Keep Devices Out of Bed for Better Sleep,” but that's pretty hard to do when your TV is literally attached to your bed

According to a new study, the main problem is using the devices while in bed, eating up the time you were supposed to be getting to sleep the study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, studied 85 adolescents ages 11 to 14 from three hours before bed until were asked to wear a body camera on their chests for one week from three hours before bedtime until they went to bed

The researchers found that 99% of the participants used the screen in the two hours before bed, more than half used the screen after getting into bed, and one-third used the screen after trying to sleep at night

Dr Bradley Brosnan of the Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Center, lead author of the study, said, “Our most interesting finding was that screen time before getting into bed had little effect on sleep that night However, screen time after going to bed did impair their sleep-it stopped them from falling asleep for about 30 minutes and reduced the amount of sleep they got that night [25] [26] Dr Chelsea Perry, owner of Sleep Solutions and a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, also advocates that devices should be kept away from the sleep space The bedroom should be just for sleeping,” she says So, sorry to TV beds, but the experts do not approve

There are many reasons why people watch television while falling asleep It provides relaxation, distraction, and relief from daily stresses and worries that keep some people up at night

Others use television to end the day in an enjoyable and entertaining way Even more contradictory, if watching TV is a nightly routine, watching TV may be a signal that it is time to go to bed

Nevertheless, the general consensus of science and experts is that one should not watch television when dozing off According to Dr Perry, “Watching television while falling asleep can ruin your ability to get a good rest because the light and stimulation from the screen can trick your brain into staying alert”

Blue light at bedtime has long been demonized, and for good reason It seems like common sense that glaring screen light interferes with falling asleep Especially considering that much sleep science talks about how light interferes with sleep, restricts the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, and signals our bodies to wake up

According to Dr Brosnan's research, interactive screen manipulation, such as gaming and multitasking, which involves using multiple devices simultaneously (we're all guilty of scrolling while the TV plays in the background), is particularly disruptive to sleep He says: “For every 10 minutes of additional screen time of this kind, sleep time that night decreased by about the same amount

In essence, it is not the blue light that keeps us awake, but our addictive tendency to keep scrolling and looking when we should be sleeping

Whether a smart bed with a built-in TV is right for you depends on several factors Ask yourself: the size of your bedroom The size of your bedroom Do you have the willpower to turn off the TV when it's time to go to bed?

Experts, however, warn: “If you have the willpower to turn off the TV when it's time to go to bed, you may not be able to sleep Dr Perry explains: “A smart bed with a built-in TV sounds convenient, but it's probably not the best idea if you're aiming for quality sleep With temptation right at your fingertips, you may end up staying up late glued to what you are watching instead of getting the rest you need”

As Dr Brosnan's research suggests, keeping devices out of the bed is essential for quality sleep By disciplining oneself and turning off devices before entering the sleep space, the body can get the restorative sleep it needs to perform at its best

By keeping cell phones, tablets, game consoles, and televisions away from your bed, you will be less tempted to operate them when you are trying to fall asleep Even better, you won't be woken or disturbed by notification alerts Do Not Disturb mode will be your new best friend

But what about alarms? Invest in an old-fashioned alarm clock and don't rely on having your cell phone nearby in the middle of the night

Sure, you'll never get tired of bedtime stories Try reading before bed instead of a TV screen The 2021 Reading Trial by the National Library of Medicine proved that reading a book in bed before bed improves sleep quality compared to not reading

This is because reading promotes calmness by distracting the mind from the day's stresses It also slows the heart rate and relaxes the body by relieving muscle tension

Similarly, listening to music helps to calm the mind Studies have shown that music has a calming and sleep-inducing effect You can find sleep playlists online or choose your own relaxing songs (but avoid songs that trigger strong emotions)

We have said it many times before and will continue to say it Routine is the foundation of quality sleep Sleeping at approximately the same time each night will help your body establish a healthy and efficient circadian rhythm

In addition, developing a nightly routine will help you fall asleep faster By practicing a routine, you can train your mind and body to listen for sleep cues and know when to switch off