Is it bad to watch things before trying to LD?

I usually watch shows on my phone in bed before actually going to sleep. Can this affect my results and lower my chances of getting a lucid dream? I don't want to have to give up this habit, but I also really want to achieve a lucid dream :(

I do that all the time also and notice how it doesn't affect my recall. I just make sure I don't look at screens during WBTBs, as that can definitely affect recall. For better recall it is still recommended to avoid electronics/screens for an hour before going to bed. You can try that to see if you see any change in recall.

Looking at screens before bed does hurt lucid dreaming by affecting your circadian rhythm. The blue shifted light tells your body that it is still the middle of the day and your body produces enough cortisol to stay awake. Your body is not prepared for sleep when you decide to sleep, when you do fall asleep your cycle becomes slightly irregular as small amounts of REM rebound jostle the pattern, making WBTB less effective. You sleep longer and less restfully to make up for the higher cortisol levels. I definitely recommend breaking the habit, as the more you do it, the more out of whack your circadian rhythm gets.

Try watching your shows and then squeezing in a screenless before-bed habit in for the hour before sleep as well. Or look for apps for your phone that red-shift the light coming from your phone. Red light affects your circadian rhythm the least, and though it may take some getting used to it will not upset your rhythm as much.

RebelSeven has an interesting point. I thought I had remembered reading once that it takes much higher light levels to actually affect sleep rhythms, but some quick web searching turns up a number of articles that seem to agree with RebelSeven's suggestions. I would expect that dimming the phone's display to low levels would also help reduce any such circadian disruptions.

At any rate, having some quiet, darkened relaxation time to wind down for a while before bed doesn't sound like a bad idea in general, health-wise. Using that time to muse over lucid-dreaming related thoughts and goals ought to be a good way to help induce LDs as well. :)

Hi FireNinja!

I would say try the phone app that RebelSeven mentioned (I use the one called Twilight on Android, and I use the chrome extension G.lux on my computer). I like to be on my phone and computer close to bed too and have a hard time giving that habit up. I think the filter gives me less eyestrain and it takes me less time to fall asleep. I think it might help my dream recall as well, can't speak to lucidity. Once you get used to it, it doesn't bother you, so it can't hurt if you have a hard time not using your phone.