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Original poster

I'm addicted to falling asleep listening to YouTube

107 replies

AnxiousFlowerpot · 19/04/2023 17:23

This started about 5 years ago. I started watching YouTube on my tablet in bed before going to sleep. Now I can't not watch a video before falling asleep. I wake up multiple times in the night and have to listen to a video (I use earphones and don't look at the screen) otherwise I just lie there and my mind starts worrying about stuff. I usually listen to something like a documentary and fall asleep again. I can't seem to stop doing it. Wtf is wrong with me.

OP posts:
Goodread1 · 19/04/2023 17:25

Me too

I discovered youtube in the first lockdown

I wish I had discovered it a lot longer

I don't watch TV,

I just spend time on youtube

DivorcingEU · 19/04/2023 17:29

I do the same with the radio on my phone. I replay programmes (usually Radio 4 money or food programmes because they're never "exciting") and set them to turn off after 30 mins. I never get to the 30 mins!

bunhead1979 · 19/04/2023 17:30

Me too. But not YouTube, various podcasts. It makes me sooo look forward to going to bed so i can pop my earphones in and listen to all manner of random stuff.

I don’t see anything wrong with it. My parents always had the world service on overnight too.

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Sleep
Lamelie · 19/04/2023 17:32

DivorcingEU · 19/04/2023 17:29

I do the same with the radio on my phone. I replay programmes (usually Radio 4 money or food programmes because they're never "exciting") and set them to turn off after 30 mins. I never get to the 30 mins!

How do you get it to stop after 30 mins? I thought I’d hacked it but my only gripe about listening to something as I go to sleep is that I sometimes wake up to it.

Beaverbridge · 19/04/2023 17:33

Me too, put a podcast on fall asleep in minutes.

ShirleyPhallus · 19/04/2023 17:35

Lamelie · 19/04/2023 17:32

How do you get it to stop after 30 mins? I thought I’d hacked it but my only gripe about listening to something as I go to sleep is that I sometimes wake up to it.

Show quote history

If you do it through Spotify you can use the timer / sleep function and it turns off after a certain amount of time

HippyChickMama · 19/04/2023 17:35

Me too. The shipping forecast podcast on BBC sounds, I have an eye mask with built in flat Bluetooth headphones and listen to it through that

Christmascracker0 · 19/04/2023 17:36

I’m the same! I use the Calm app to listen to sleep stories to help drift off - I always sleep so so well.

HighInfidelity · 19/04/2023 17:45

There’s nothing wrong with you! When I’m going through an insomnia phase I do the same with podcasts or sleep stories to help me fall asleep. If it’s working well for you then that’s all that matters!

TheMarzipanDildo · 19/04/2023 17:50

I don’t think it’s a bad thing, unless it’s disturbing your sleep?

FannythePinkFlamingo · 19/04/2023 18:13

I listen to podcasts. Sometimes I set a timer, but other times I don't and it plays all night. Doesn't bother when it does though.

Original poster
AnxiousFlowerpot · 19/04/2023 18:16

Glad I'm not the only one. It does worry me a bit that I won't be able to go to sleep without it though. I'm going to try reading a book and seeing if I stay asleep better.

OP posts:
spoonheadmoon · 19/04/2023 18:36

Me too!

WildFlowerBees · 19/04/2023 18:40

I listen to hypnosis stuff on YouTube to go to sleep.

LadyLolaRuben · 19/04/2023 18:42

I do same but with mumsnet.

HowardKirksConscience · 19/04/2023 18:42

Addiction isn’t the same as habit. You could break the habit if you wanted to. It wouldn’t take long. Quit with the melodrama.

PickleOfAConundrum · 19/04/2023 18:43

Now and then I check out YouTube for the music but I'm totally addicted to TikTok and would find at 2am I'm still scrolling the videos. No wonder I'm knackered all the time 😂.

LadyVictoriaSponge · 19/04/2023 18:44

I’m the same, I love it, keeps my mind from wandering and worrying about stuff, my only gripe is the booming adverts that wake me up when I’m just drifting off.

Cupofteaaa5 · 19/04/2023 18:55

I don't really think there's anything wrong with this. If it helps you fall asleep, and doesn't bother anyone else, it's a good thing! I wouldn't worry about it. Lots of people need something to listen to to fall asleep.

I personally don't listen to videos or podcasts because the talking keeps me awake, but I have white noise playing every night. I struggle to sleep without it.

violetskypurple · 19/04/2023 19:02

I do the same, I tend to get panic attacks most nights if I try and sleep in the dark and in silence so I've started listening to audiobooks/podcasts/ASMR and fall straight to sleep

Original poster
AnxiousFlowerpot · 19/04/2023 19:12

HowardKirksConscience · 19/04/2023 18:42

Addiction isn’t the same as habit. You could break the habit if you wanted to. It wouldn’t take long. Quit with the melodrama.

Who rattled your cage? 🙄

OP posts:
TakingTime2 · 19/04/2023 19:14

Same here. I've watched the same programme for months now and haven't made it to the end before falling asleep

I have to have something fairly boring to listen to, I didn't sleep in silence

AgrathaChristie · 19/04/2023 19:16

I fall asleep to BBC Sounds The Sleeping Forecast, soothing music interspersed with the Shipping Forecast. It works , every time.

7catsisnotenough · 19/04/2023 19:22

I always put a YouTube video on when I go to bed...usually CreepsMcPasta 🤣
I don't think I ever last an entire episode but his voice is just so relaxing....

DancedByTheLightOfTheMoon · 19/04/2023 19:26

I think its a comfort thing.
I fall to sleep listening to Mooji and his gentle meditations. His voice is so so comforting and feels so familiar now. It makes me feel safe.
I had massive problems sleeping after the loss of my husband, YouTube was a life saver for me.