I Swapped My Phone for Diamond Painting at Night—Now I Sleep Like a Baby

by Jade, former psychology scholar & co-creator of Diamond Painting Studio

1. I used to wake up exhausted from my dreams.

Hi, I’m Jade. Before I started Diamond Painting Studio with my sisters, I was a cognitive psychology scholar. Ironically, even with all that knowledge about how the mind works, I still struggled with sleep.

Every morning I would wake up more tired than when I went to bed. My dreams were vivid, chaotic, and emotionally intense—like my brain never got the memo that it was time to rest.

At first, I thought it was just stress. Then I thought maybe it was the habit of scrolling TikTok for an hour every night before bed (sound familiar?). But the turning point came when I decided to try something different—something with my hands, not a screen.

That’s how diamond painting came into my life. And slowly, my dreams started to change. My sleep became deeper. I didn’t wake up feeling like I’d just run a marathon in my head. I felt… calm. For the first time in years.

2. Why Do We Dream So Much When We’re Anxious?

You’re not imagining it—when you’re stressed, or anxiety, your dreams really do get weirder, louder, and more exhausting. It’s something I used to explain in lectures, but never expected to feel so personally.

From a cognitive psychology perspective, our dreams are like a backstage crew, working overtime to process everything we didn’t have time to emotionally digest during the day. When we stay busy, distracted, or bottle up our stress (hello, doom-scrolling at midnight), our brain delays the “filing” of those emotions… until we sleep.

But here’s the catch: that processing isn’t always peaceful. Nightmares, chaotic dreams, or just dreaming all night without deep sleep are signs that your brain is overwhelmed and still working overtime—even when your body is lying down.

That’s why calming the brain before sleep is such a game-changer. Not numbing it with entertainment, but gently leading it out of overdrive.

3. Why Diamond Painting Actually Works

When I first tried diamond painting, I wasn’t expecting a miracle. I just wanted to do something with my hands—something quiet and slow. But after a few nights, I started noticing something interesting: my thoughts weren’t racing as much. My shoulders weren’t so tight. And most surprisingly? I didn’t wake up with that “dream hangover” anymore.

Here’s what’s happening, from a brain science point of view:

When you do a slow, repetitive, goal-oriented task—like placing tiny gems on a canvas—your executive function system (the one responsible for decision-making and planning) gets to take a break. You stop jumping between tabs in your mind. Your brain settles.

And at the same time, that gentle, rhythmic hand movement does something powerful: it activates your parasympathetic nervous system—the part of your body that tells you, “Hey, it’s safe now. You can rest.”

It’s not magic. It’s biology. But to me, it still feels like magic.

4. How to Create a Diamond Painting Wind-Down Routine (with Real Feedback!)

Let’s be real—most of us don’t have an hour to meditate or a spa at home. But setting aside just 20 minutes with a diamond painting kit before bed? That’s doable. And surprisingly powerful.

Here’s what I recommend, both as a former psych scholar and as your diamond-painting big sister:

✨ Your Bedtime Calm-Down Checklist:

• Keep the lights warm and low – harsh lighting keeps your brain on high alert.

• Choose peaceful themes – try landscapes, starry skies, or soft florals.

• Play ambient music – or just enjoy the sound of the drills clicking onto canvas.

• Set a gentle time limit – no pressure to finish anything, just show up.

• End with a deep breath – let your brain register: “the day is over.”

💬 Real Stories from the Studio:

“I replaced my phone time with diamond painting every night. Two weeks in, I had my first night with no dreams. It felt amazing.”

— Lana, mom of two, Texas

“I used to toss and turn. Now, by the time I place my tenth row of drills, my shoulders have dropped. I’m not fighting sleep anymore.”

— Eric, overthinker & proud introvert

“I didn’t think tiny plastic gems could help me feel calm. But here we are.”

— Brianna, RN and night-shift worker

Each story reminds me: this isn’t just about making something pretty. It’s about reclaiming a small, quiet part of your night—and making it yours.

5. You Deserve Calm—And a Little Sparkle Never Hurts

If your nights have been full of noise—on screens, in your head, or in your dreams—you’re not alone. I’ve been there, truly. And the smallest shift can create the biggest change.

Diamond painting isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It gives your hands something to do, your mind something to rest on, and your heart a little peace at the end of the day.

If you’re curious where to begin, we’ve put together a few of our calm-night favorites—kits that are soft, soothing, and beginner-friendly. The kind of art that loves you back.

🌙✨ Explore Our Sleep-Friendly Diamond Painting Kits →

See you under the stars,

Jade