Is Sleeping With Lights On Healthy? Here is the Truth

Light on or off, there are several points of view on whether we should sleep with the lights on or off.

Turn off the lights! A common phrase that we have all heard at some point in our childhood. Every night we went to bed, our planets would make sure the lights were off. Lights out just mean no one is home or people are just asleep. It’s not uncommon for people to say they can’t sleep with the lights on while few on the other hand would say they need that little bit of light. Then comes a theory where people debate whether or not sleeping with the lights on is actually healthy.

Everyone has their own way of living, their own way of sleeping. And let’s find out if sleeping with the lights on is healthy or not.

IS BLEEDING WITH THE LIGHTS ON GOOD OR BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH?

According to experts, sleep in a dark environment for optimal rest and well-being because exposure to light at night can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake rhythm, known as the circadian rhythm. Sleeping with the lights on can lead to fragmented sleep and decreased sleep quality. Even dim lights can affect sleep architecture, resulting in shallower sleep, less REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, and an overall less restful sleep experience.

This can leave you feeling groggy, tired, and less mentally fit during the day. Chronic light exposure at night has been associated with an increased risk of developing sleep disorders such as insomnia. Light exposure can make it harder for the brain to initiate and maintain sleep, making insomnia symptoms worse.

Sleeping with the lights on can contribute to mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Disrupted sleep patterns can upset the balance of neurotransmitters and affect emotional regulation, leading to increased vulnerability to mental health problems.

Sleeping with the lights on can have a negative impact on sleep quality and overall health. Exposure to artificial light, especially bright or blue light emitted by electronic devices or certain types of light bulbs, can interfere with the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. This cycle, known as the circadian rhythm, is regulated by the release of the hormone melatonin, which is suppressed by light. It has been associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer. However, more research is needed to establish the causal relationship and fully understand the underlying mechanisms.

What is the relationship between lights and sleep?

Exposure to light, especially natural sunlight, during the day helps synchronize our internal clock and promotes wakefulness. It tells the brain that it is daytime and inhibits the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. This is why exposure to bright light in the morning can be beneficial in promoting alertness and maintaining a healthy sleep-wake cycle.

Conversely, exposure to light, especially in the evening and at night, can have a disturbing effect on our sleep. Artificial light, especially the blue light emitted by electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, as well as certain types of light bulbs, can suppress melatonin production and make it difficult to sleep. This can lead to difficulty falling asleep and lead to poor sleep quality.

Creating a sleep-friendly environment by keeping the bedroom dark, using blackout curtains or an eye mask, and minimizing exposure to artificial light before bedtime can help promote better sleep quality and overall well-being.