Ready to stop scrolling before bedtime?
One topic that has come up a lot in coaching lately is scrolling before bedtime.
I brought up this topic earlier today in a mentor group, and everyone nodded at once! I had to hold back a laugh as I wondered, “Are we all living the same lives?”
What do you notice when you scroll a little too much? Do you feel overwhelmed? Anxious? Like you've lost part of your day?
Or just simply entertained?
As small a habit as scrolling may feel, there’s no denying it: Scrolling is a health habit.
When we think about health habits, we tend to focus on exercise and nutrition, or on sleep and hydration. But what we consume digitally, and how we consume it, can affect so much! (I say this as I adjust my posture… which is also feeling the effect of my digital working habits!)
But scrolling late at night combines two habits: scrolling on the phone and getting sleep. (It might also affect relationships if you’re scrolling next to someone!)
Bright screens, noise, stimulation, and scrolling keep your brain stimulated when it is trying to power down. It exposes you to comparison when your self-trust needs quiet. It invites urgency when your body is craving a recharge.
And yet… scrolling also meets real needs.
It can soothe loneliness.
It can offer a distraction after a long day.
It can provide inspiration, connection, and laughter.
That is why it’s a tough habit to kick. But this conversation is not about shame. It is about awareness.
Instead of asking, “How do I stop scrolling?” consider what you’re getting from your phone. Is it connections? Information? Total escape?
In wellness coaching, we explore patterns like this gently and honestly. Not with rigid rules. Not with perfection. But with curiosity.
Maybe your insight is that scrolling after 9pm makes your sleep restless. Maybe you realize that news consumption spikes your anxiety. Or, maybe you discover that 15 intentional minutes feels good, but 60 unconscious minutes do not.
Not ready for coaching yet? No problem. There’s no need need to delete every app and move to the forest.
Instead, you might simply experiment. Try a 30-minute “screen sunset” before bed.
Charge your phone outside the bedroom.
Replace the scroll with a book, a journal, or even five minutes of stillness.
Notice what shifts.
Wellness is not just green smoothies and workouts. It is also the habits we do on autopilot that shape our minds, our mood, our sleep, and our relationships.
If you are curious about your own patterns, let’s explore them together. One small habit at a time. Email me or set up a discovery call for more information.
