If you’re the kind of mum who crashes into bed only to scroll mindlessly through TikTok for 47 minutes, then wakes up exhausted and wondering why you’re still tired after “eight hours of sleep” — welcome.
You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You’re just frazzled and possibly riding the bedtime doom scroll like the rest of us. And it might be time for a serious change that’s both easy and kinda life-altering.
This is about one thing: turning off your WiFi and ditching your phone from the bedroom. Sound a bit dramatic? Maybe. But here’s why this small move might just change your life.
Something Was Off (But I Couldn’t Put My Finger On It)
It started like this: I was waking up more tired than when I went to bed. Every morning felt like I’d been hit by a mental bus. My brain was foggy, my patience was thinner than my pre-kid jeans, and no amount of coffee could touch it.
I blamed the kids. Then the stress. Then hormones. Then the moon cycle (because, sure, why not).
But deep down? I knew.
Every night, I was falling asleep with my phone in hand. I’d wake up in the middle of the night, check the time, and somehow also check my notifications. Instagram. Emails. News. Bad news. Cat videos. Celebrity drama. TikTok rabbit holes.
I was never truly sleeping. My brain was on call, like a 24/7 emergency operator with no benefits.
Then I read a comment on a parenting blog: “I turn off my WiFi and leave my phone in the kitchen. Haven’t had a night terror since.”
That was my moment.
Why It Actually Works (The Science Bit Without the Boring Bits)
Here’s the deal: our brains aren’t built to be constantly stimulated. Blue light, dopamine hits from apps, the emotional rollercoaster of online content — it’s all frying our nervous systems.
- Blue light suppresses melatonin, which is basically your sleep hormone. No melatonin = no good sleep.
- Endless scrolling overstimulates your brain, which means you go to bed mentally wired and emotionally chaotic.
- Notifications (even silent ones) activate your alert system. Your brain literally keeps one eye open, waiting.
Add WiFi signals and EMFs (electromagnetic fields) to the mix, and some people say it messes with your sleep quality and circadian rhythm too. Studies are mixed, but anecdotal evidence from people who’ve unplugged? Strong as hell.
Sources: Harvard Medical School on Blue Light, National Library of Medicine on EMFs and Sleep
What Actually Happened When I Tried It
Night 1: I turned off the WiFi, left my phone in the hallway, and walked into my room like I was stepping into a sensory deprivation tank. I felt… oddly nervous. Like I was missing a limb.
I didn’t know what to do with my hands.
I read three pages of a book. I sat in silence. I fell asleep in under 20 minutes. Not amazing sleep, but better than usual.
By Night 4? I was falling asleep faster, waking up once, and not checking anything.
By Week 2? My mood in the morning had shifted. I didn’t need two coffees just to speak like a human. I was snapping less. My kids were still wild, but I wasn’t. That was new.
The Benefits No One Talks About
This isn’t just about sleep. It’s about mental peace.
- I don’t wake up to bad news.
- I don’t start my day comparing myself to people on Instagram.
- My brain feels quieter.
- My anxiety (which used to spike at night) has chilled.
- My kids see me reading instead of doom-scrolling. Huge win.
How to Actually Do It (Without Losing Your Mind)
- Buy a real alarm clock. Yes, they still exist. No, they don’t cost a fortune.
- Charge your phone in another room. Kitchen. Living room. Laundry basket. Don’t care. Just not your bedroom.
- Turn off WiFi at night. Use a timer plug. Or just press the button. Easy.
- Start a bedtime routine. This is not about being perfect. Just swap screen time with a book, journaling, stretching, or literally just staring into space. That’s allowed.
- Tell your people. Let friends or family know you’re off the grid after 9 PM. If it’s an emergency, they can call the house line (if you still have one).
But What If You Miss Something Important?
You won’t. I promise.
Nothing good happens in your notifications after 9 PM. If it’s urgent, they’ll call. And if it’s not? It can wait until morning.
You’re not being irresponsible. You’re just finally putting your own rest above the world’s noise. Radical, I know.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t about being a tech-hating monk. It’s about reclaiming your evenings, your brain, your body’s natural rhythm.
Your sleep deserves better than WiFi waves and flashing screens. So does your peace.
Unplug. Airplane mode. Other room. Let your brain come back online after you’ve actually slept.
Worst case? You sleep better.
Best case? You wake up feeling like a semi-functioning goddess.
And honestly? That’s the dream.
