How Light Affects Your Sleep

There’s a reason why we’re expected to fall into a deep sleep during the nighttime. Light plays a big role in dictating our bodies’ internal clock so we know when to be active and when to rest.

If you’ve been tossing and turning or having a generally difficult time falling asleep, a light source might be the main cause. In today’s post, we’re going to examine how light affects your sleep and what you can do about it.

It stops the production of melatonin. 

An important hormone called melatonin is primarily responsible for promoting good sleep. When receptors in our eyes are exposed to light, it sends a signal to our circadian system to suppress melatonin production.

So whether you’re reading with the help of a bedside lamp or binge-watching a series on your television late at night, you’re putting your internal clock out of whack. 

And without proper melatonin levels, your ability to fall asleep faster and get deeper periods of sleep will also be affected.

It can cause repeated awakenings.

Do you find yourself repeatedly checking your smartphone even if you don’t receive any notifications at night? There’s a good reason why it’s recommended to switch off all devices at least an hour before sleeping.

Blue light associated with technology has been known to cause sleep disruption, resulting in repeated awakenings at night. In turn, this can negatively affect both your sleeping and waking life.

You can prevent yourself from being tempted to look at any of your devices by investing in a good sleep mask. It’s a simple and affordable solution to sleeping more soundly at night.

It can throw off your circadian rhythm.

Does your bedroom have a window that opens to a well-lit street? Then maybe it’s time to invest in a sturdy curtain rod and blackout curtain setup.

If you’ve been experiencing fragmented sleep and sleep interruption constantly, you can get yourself checked at a reputable sleep clinic in Singapore. However, light streaming in from your window — no matter how small — could likely be the main cause of your circadian sleep-wake disorders.

So aside from investing in the most comfortable mattress for your bedroom, you can take the extra step and block off all light sources in your room. Sleeping in pitch darkness can help promote better-quality sleep. 

It can affect your metabolism even while you sleep.

Yes, you can gain weight even while sleeping (or not sleeping, in this case). And sleeping with a light source can directly contribute to it.

Aside from eating carb-laden food like pizza at night, keeping the light on while you sleep can affect your metabolism. A National Library of Medicine five-year study showed how participating women who slept with TV or light on gained ten pounds or more even with regular exercise and diet.

So it’s not just a matter of worrying about dark eye circles during your sleeping and waking hours. You’ll need to carefully consider unwanted weight gain if you haven’t been sleeping well because of a light source.