Are you still awake? When you can’t fall asleep, you turn in bed, making it impossible for you to sleep at all. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone via the internet. You soon realize that you are not the only one who can’t sleep. What are the pros and cons of using the Internet at night?
Who’s still awake?
A frequently asked question on forums: who is still awake? Fortunately, you are never the only one awake, no matter what time it is. When you can’t sleep, it can make you feel pretty miserable. Continuing to roll around in bed is frustrating. Then it’s nice to be able to talk to someone. You don’t want to wake your partner or parents, so you look for a conversation partner elsewhere: on the internet.
Does it work to use the internet at night?
Although it’s nice to talk to someone when you can’t sleep, it also has negative consequences. The bluish light that comes from a screen inhibits the production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland. It creates a day and night rhythm. Melatonin makes you feel sleepy. Melatonin is mainly produced when it gets dark. The light that comes from a screen therefore ensures that little or no melatonin is produced. This will make you feel less tired.
Another disadvantage of working behind a screen is the increased brain activity. Because you are working on several things at the same time, your brain comes into action. It therefore takes much longer before you fall back asleep.
Talking about problems or concerns
However, it can sometimes also be advantageous to talk to someone via the internet. In some cases you cannot sleep because you are worrying or worrying about something. Talking to a stranger is sometimes much more rewarding, because you can throw out everything you want to say. You hold back a little more towards someone you know. You can talk anonymously on the internet, no one knows you so you don’t have to be ashamed. It is also often easier to write down what you think or feel than to have to talk about it through words.
What should I do better: use the internet or not?
If you really can’t sleep and need to talk to someone, feel free to go to the internet. Agree with yourself how long you will do this: for example half an hour or an hour. Take into account whether you have to get up early the next day or have an important day. After the agreed time, shut down the PC completely and do not look at photos or videos. Then take some calcium. This can be in the form of milk, yoghurt or a calcium tablet. Calcium ensures a natural and deep sleep.
Lie in bed and dim the lights. All the stories are probably still running through your head right now. Try reading a book, magazine or comic book. This ensures that your thoughts are no longer on the internet. The dimmed light will increase the production of the hormone melatonin. After half an hour you can try to see if you can fall asleep.
If you are still unable to fall asleep, accept that you are in for a bad night’s sleep. You usually make up for the lack of sleep the next day. It is best not to go back to the internet. Giving the body rest will largely help you get through the day. So stay in bed and read or listen to soft music. don’t worry about the fact that you won’t get a chance to sleep. Your body is smart enough to deal with this. Go to bed a little earlier than usual the next day.
Where can I talk to someone at night?
There is always someone you can talk to on various forums. First check your own forum where you are active. If you are not active on a forum or there is no one there, register with a large forum. Major forums include:
- partyflock.nl: for people who like going out
- fok.nl: for the young
- viva.nl: forum where many women come
- flair.nl: also a forum for women
- pupils.com: aimed at young people at school
- seniornnet.nl: for the elderly
- bokt.nl: horse-oriented forum
- morgenspagina.nl: for pregnant women and mothers
- medicalforum.nl: for all medical questions
there are many more forums on the internet. Find a forum that suits you. For example, because you want to talk about a certain illness, about a hobby, a study or a concern that you want to express.