Why Can I Fall Asleep Watching The Tv

[Quenched]

I find this quite strange, quite often at around 8.30 in the evening, I struggle to stay awake watching the tv. 

So my girlfriend will say you might aswell go to bed, so off I go to bed expecting to fall asleep straight away based on the fact 2 minutes ago I could barely stay awake. 

But then I struggle to go to sleep, and end up getting annoyed and go back downstairs to watch more tv. 

But by now I'm wide awake. 

What am I doing wrong? 

[Maydup]

It's a mystery I've yet to solve!

[vulcan42]

I'm sorry I haven't a solution for you, I'm in exactly the same situation! These frequent and unexpected catnaps, throughout the afternoon and evening, are playing havoc with my night-time attempts to sleep. I hope we get an answer. 

[Quenched]

Its as if from getting up from the sofa to going bed loses the momentum of being able to sleep. 

Maybe the answer is if I feel like I'm going to nod off watching the tv, perhaps I need to get up and walk about the house for 5 minutes. 

[Old_Geezer]

Or just nod off in front of the TV for an hour and then wake up refreshed for more TV watching ?

 

Or grab a mug of java to help keep you going.

[barry1010]

The TV sounds quiets your mind, has a soporific effect. Absence of that sound snaps you out of it and stimulates the brain

[Quenched]

barry1010, 

 

That makes sense, but its annoying when I'm actually interested in what's on, rather than its just background fodder. 

 

 

[Quenched]

Old_Geezer, 

Nice idea, but I have to be up at 6am for work, so I shouldn't stay up watching tv past 10pm.

[Mozz71]

Maybe a possible solution Quenched, is to put the radio on when you go to bed. It might act as a midway point between the tv and bed to allow your brain to shut down gradually.

[douglas9401]

It's just a symptom of modern life, we want things and we want it now.

A few nights of patience coupled with a set bedtime will help.

[RandyMarsh]

With the tv on your mind only has one distraction, the noise from the TV,  I bet you have a million thoughts in bed, listen to a podcast or a book or some ambient noise, there are loads of free apps.