How to sleep through a news cycle

Democracy needs you well rested. Here's how to get there when the headlines won't let you.

Staying informed is a civic duty. Doomscrolling at 1 a.m. is not. The news will still be there in the morning, and you'll be far more useful to your causes if you've slept.

Set a news curfew

Pick a time, about an hour before bed, after which you stop reading headlines. Bright screens and upsetting news both keep your brain on high alert, which is the opposite of what you want at bedtime.

Evict the phone

Charge it outside the bedroom. If it's your alarm, buy a cheap alarm clock. You'll be amazed how much easier it is to fall asleep when the entire internet isn't on your nightstand.

Keep it cool, dark, and quiet

A cool room, blackout curtains or a good sleep mask, and steady background sound all help. This is the one area of life where we fully support a little more darkness.

Write it down

If your mind is racing about everything that needs fixing, jot it down on paper before bed. The to-do list will hold the floor overnight so you don't have to.

Shop Sleep Left