wellness
Las Cruces Residents Cut Phone Time, Boost Sleep and Reduce Stress
Las Cruces residents are carving out device-free blocks to cut stress and improve sleep.
How we reported this
More Las Cruces adults began blocking their phones from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. this spring after a local survey showed rising reports of nighttime anxiety tied to late scrolling.
The shift comes as work emails and social apps keep pulling attention long after typical office hours end. Local health workers note that constant notifications disrupt sleep cycles and raise cortisol levels, especially for people balancing jobs at New Mexico State University and nearby agricultural operations.
Programs already running on local streets
The Doña Ana County Health Department launched a six-week digital wellness series in May at the Las Cruces Public Library branch on Picacho Avenue. Participants from the Alameda Depot neighborhood and the Mesilla Park area meet weekly to test phone-free windows and track changes in mood. A parallel group meets at the Plaza de Las Cruces on Thursday evenings to practice the same routine without devices.
Organizers report that 48 residents completed the first round of sessions by late June. Many said the 8-to-10 p.m. window fit best because it followed dinner but preceded bedtime.
A 2025 Doña Ana County Health Department poll of 1,200 county adults found 62 percent linked high stress to phone use after 7 p.m. The same poll showed average daily screen time reached 5.8 hours among those aged 25 to 44.
Steps that fit Las Cruces schedules
Start by picking one fixed block that matches your routine, such as the hour after the kids finish homework near the Organ Mountains or before the evening walk along Main Street. Place the phone in a drawer or another room and set a simple kitchen timer instead of relying on the device itself.
Residents who stuck with the practice for three weeks said they noticed fewer headaches and quicker sleep onset. The county health department plans to expand the library sessions to twice monthly starting in August, with registration open through the department website. Anyone unsure about personal health effects should check with a primary-care provider at one of the local clinics before making big changes.