Surprise – New Binge Watching Study Shows It’s Bad For You

Binge watching. It's a fairly recent phenomenon that almost all of us have engaged in from time to time. Whether it's watching a full season of Friends in one weekend, or the final season of Game of Thrones in one night it cuts into our sleep time and that isn't good.

A new survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine indicates that almost 90% of us are guilty. Out of the 2,000 adults surveyed, 88% said that they had stayed up late watching multiple episodes of their favorite TV show. That number drops down to 80% when you just look at those over 45 but jumps up to 95% for those 18 to 44.

The numbers are a little better when it comes to video games, 72% of those aged 18 to 34 four admitted to staying up late to play, and that drops way down to 38% for those 35 or older. Men were much more guilty of this than women.

Women were more likely than men to have stayed up late reading a book so they don't get off too easily.

When it comes to blowing off bedtime to watch sports men win out again with 75% saying they'd done so compared to only 45% of the women.

So, what's the big deal? If you do it on a night that doesn't require you to get up on time the next morning you can probably sleep off most of the ill effects of getting out of your routine, but if it's a work night or school night you're gonna pay. In addition to being groggy and spending more time at the coffee machine the next day, binge watchers who blew their bedtime also reported feelings of frustration,  worry, even guilt for their behavior. Regular binge watchers also reported more symptoms of insomnia and general fatigue.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends a regular nighttime routine for getting to bed including turning off all of your digital screens 30 minutes before lights out.

If you still feel the need, they offer some great tips on binge watching wisely.