Night Routine Trends for Better Sleep in the 2010s
Sweety KarlakSleep in the 2010s was deeply shaped by smartphones, social media, and the rise of wellness culture. While technology made life more connected, it also created new sleep challenges. At the same time, awareness about sleep health, mindfulness, and digital balance began to grow rapidly.
This blog explores how people prepared for sleep in the 2010s and what helped — or harmed — their rest.
Life After Sunset in the 2010s
Evenings in the 2010s were dominated by screens. Most people had:
Smartphones
Laptops or tablets
Smart TVs and streaming services
Social media apps (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube)
Because of this, many people stayed up later than in the 2000s.
Key Night Routine Trends in the 2010s
1. Even Later Bedtimes
Most adults went to bed between 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM, especially students and young professionals.
👉 Effect:
More entertainment — but often less and poorer-quality sleep.
2. Phone Scrolling Before Bed (Big Trend)
Common habits included:
Scrolling Instagram or Facebook
Watching YouTube or Netflix
Replying to messages
Online shopping
This became one of the biggest sleep disruptors of the decade.
3. Rise of Streaming & Binge-Watching
By the mid-2010s:
Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube were widely used
Many people binge-watched shows late at night
“One more episode” became a common phrase
This often pushed bedtimes even later.
4. Changing Dinner & Late-Night Snacks
Food habits in the 2010s included:
More takeout and delivery apps
Late-night snacks while watching shows
Coffee or energy drinks for late work/study
These habits frequently affected sleep quality.
5. Growing Interest in Wellness & Sleep
Despite screen overuse, people also started caring more about sleep.
Popular trends included:
Yoga and meditation before bed
Herbal teas (chamomile, green tea)
Relaxation music or podcasts
This marked the beginning of “sleep awareness culture.”
6. Better Sleep Environments
Many people invested in:
Memory foam mattresses
Better pillows
Blackout curtains
Air conditioners or fans
Bedrooms became more comfortable than ever.
7. Mixed Night Routines (Tech + Relaxation)
Some people tried to balance:
Screen time
Reading books
Meditation
Light stretching
But technology still dominated for most.
How Long Did People Sleep?
On average:
6–7 hours per night for working adults
7–8 hours for students and teenagers
Sleep quality often declined due to blue light and stress.
What We Can Learn From 2010s Night Routines
Good habits to keep
Comfortable mattresses
Meditation or light yoga
Calming music before bed
Habits to reduce:
Phone scrolling before sleep
Binge-watching late at night
Irregular bedtimes
Conclusion
The 2010s was the decade where technology truly took over bedtime — but it was also when people began to understand its impact on sleep. This period set the stage for the sleep-optimization trends that became stronger in the 2020s.
FAQ – Night Routine Trends in the 2010s
1. What time did people usually sleep in the 2010s?
Most adults went to bed between 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM.
2. Did people sleep worse in the 2010s?
Often yes, due to smartphone use and social media.
3. What kind of beds did they use?
Mostly memory foam or modern spring mattresses.
4. Did people watch TV before bed?
Yes — especially Netflix and YouTube.
5. Did people use their phones in bed?
Yes, this became very common in this decade.
6. What did families do before bed?
More individual screen time, less family time together.
7. Did people meditate or practice yoga?
Many did — wellness and mindfulness became popular.
8. What did they eat at night?
More takeout, snacks, and late dinners than earlier decades.
9. How many hours did they sleep?
Typically 6–7 hours for adults.
10. What can we learn from 2010s sleep habits today?
Limit screen time before bed, create a calming routine, and keep regular sleep hours.
