Masking up at bedtime

[CPAPSteve]

What do others do when masking up? Do you go o bed immediately or do you do things like read or watch TV and then just fall asleep?

When I mask up I have a tendency to play with my phone for a good 20-60 minutes. I use that time to wind my day down and when I get tired I just pass out and not have to worry about masking up.

What do others here do at bedtime?

[JayDee]

I am usually asleep anywhere from less than a minute to at most, 5 minutes. When I decide it's time to go to sleep, it's almost like flipping a switch. Even before APAP and despite my apnea issues, I could probably sleep through a tornado. I have no recollection of snoring or waking myself due to my snoring. I reportedly did a darned fine job of waking everyone else though! Although, since I have been on APAP, that snoring has been eliminated for the most part and when I do snore now, it's subdued. At least, that's what I'm told. I do have an occasional night where my brain gets fixated on some concern that I'm worrying over and it may take longer to fall asleep, but those are very rare.

-JD

[Julie]

Just a little tip - it's strongly advised not to use your phone, TV or computer prior to bed as the daylight (unless you've adjusted it) settings can cause insomnia in people.

[Sheriff Buford]

I put my medical tape and moleskin on my nose, mask up, hit the "on" button and will be in la-la land within 5 minutes. We all have our routine. If it works for you... go for it!

Sheriff

[CreativeChris]

I use my phone or iPad, but in night mode for about 10 mins and then pass out. My body knows mask = go the hell to sleep!

[Midwest_non_sleeper]

Just a little tip - it's strongly advised not to use your phone, TV or computer prior to bed as the daylight (unless you've adjusted it) settings can cause insomnia in people.

All artificial light sources cause problems for our natural circadian rhythm, but blue light (LEDs in most mobile devices and TVs) cause even more problems. As noted by Live Science:

"Blue light wavelengths produced by electronics and overhead lights boost attention, reaction times and mood, according to Harvard Medical School. This can be great for the daytime when the body needs to be alert, but at night it can become a problem.

Research has found that exposure to blue light suppresses the production of melatonin more than any other type of light. It is believed that the shorter wavelengths in blue light is what causes the body to produce less melatonin because the body is more sensitive to this type of light. "

Basically, you're harming your body's natural tendency to want to sleep by playing on a phone while lying in bed. But, then again, I also remember a time when eggs were the Devil because of cholesterol.

Edit: I typically just read for a bit until my eyelids are heavy, then I just throw the book down and pass out. This method is amazing if you have a sufficiently boring book. The Twilight series comes to mind.

[Muse-Inc]

I am usually asleep anywhere from less than a minute to at most, 5 minutes...

Me too! I get everything done, set alarm, apply lip balm, mask on, eye mask on, start APAP, get comfy in bed...asleep almost immediately.

[D.H.]

I put the mask on and generally fall asleep within a few minutes. I do have the TV on sometimes, although this is not recommended.

Since you have a FF mask, you're obviously not speaking on the phone!

[CPAPSteve]

Just a little tip - it's strongly advised not to use your phone, TV or computer prior to bed as the daylight (unless you've adjusted it) settings can cause insomnia in people.

My phone is set to nighttime mode so the blue spectrum is mostly removed and has a very warm orange/yellow tinge to the screen. Very aware that blue light can cause insomnia. I am not much of a TV guy so thankfully I don’t have to worry too much about that.

[CPAPSteve]

I put the mask on and generally fall asleep within a few minutes. I do have the TV on sometimes, although this is not recommended.

Since you have a FF mask, you're obviously not speaking on the phone!

Lol I tried talking on the phone once... ironically to the sleep clinic that called me early one morning. They said they couldn’t hear a single thing I was saying other than a few muffles. Lol

[CPAPSteve]

I find masking up right before bed is a somewhat cumbersome routine. I have a routine that I do that takes probably ten minutes and I’d rather get it all done before I get into bed and then I need time to wind down hence why I read or play on my phone for a bit. I find the breathing through the machine relaxing and a signal for me to sleep soon which I usually do. Trying to put the phone down is hard some days

[Marillion]

Using a phone right before you go to sleep is a really bad idea. It has been shown to impact your sleep quality. Even with a blue light filter on, I wouldn't use a phone right before bedtime. A better idea would be to read a book to wind down. But to each their own...

[Okie bipap]

The only time my phone is in the bedroom is when I need to get up early. I use it for my alarm clock. My wife and I do the same thing. We put on the mask, hook up the hose, start the machine and climb into bed. I'm usually asleep within five or six minutes. She is usually asleep before I am.

[fordjx4000]

I watch a movie or listen to music it usually takes me a hour to fall asleep

[InnerGlow]

I put my mask on and sit on the edge of the bed, eyes closed, for 5-10 minutes before lying down to go to sleep. The time lets me relax my breathing. Otherwise if I lie right down, I feel like I can't breathe and end up taking off the mask.