Stop Using Do Not Disturb Mode At Night And Turn This Setting On Instead

Getting a good night's rest is essential for waking up refreshed and ready for the new day, but for a lot of us, it's not as simple as it sounds. If you find yourself waking up groggy, there are expert tips for getting a better night's sleep, and an important one is being more conscious of screen use before bedtime. That means avoiding screens for at least an hour before you plan to go to sleep, and that includes computers, TV, and your smartphone.

Of course, that's much easier said than done. So much of your life takes place on your devices, and for lots of people, doomscrolling is a part of the nightly routine, though definitely not a healthy habit. One way to avoid unnecessary distraction and phone use at night is to put your phone into Do Not Disturb mode to silence notifications. However, there's an even better option that's just as simple: Airplane mode.

By putting your phone in Airplane mode before bed, you're not simply blocking all notifications — you're disconnecting from your cellular network entirely. While Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals can still get through, it's easy to turn those off as well for a distraction-free night. Your alarms will still work while your device is in Airplane mode, so you can rely on your phone to wake you up without disturbing your sleep.

Do Not Disturb does have its benefits. It's designed to block out notifications, giving you the ability to customize what gets filtered out and create your own modes for things like sleeping, work, and driving. However, it's not always all that hard for someone trying to contact you to get through Do Not Disturb. Priority notifications typically go through regardless, as can repeated calls or texts where the sender hits the Notify Anyway option. That's useful in emergency situations, but 99% of the time, it's more distracting than helpful.

Airplane mode comes with another key advantage over Do Not Disturb: It's better for your phone's battery. Since putting your device in Airplane mode turns off your cellular, your phone won't spend all night trying to find and keep a signal, which is especially useful if you live somewhere without strong and consistent service.

Additionally, Airplane mode is a great tool for digital detoxing, particularly if you turn off Internet and social media access entirely. Most of us are spending far too much time staring at screens, and while it's often unavoidable, the hour or so before bed is a good time to cut back. It'll be hard to stop the nightly routine of checking your phone right before bed, but Airplane mode can help you form better habits and get a healthier night's sleep.