I hear this all the time, “It helps me sleep better…it’s what I have always done.”
It may be what you have always done, but research shows that light exposure while sleeping actually prevents our bodies from entering a deep sleep for full restoration by morning.
If waking up still groggy is not enough for you to start turning off the lights and TV before bed, then keep reading. Studies also show that sleeping with the TV or light on in the room has been associated with weight gain in women. One study showed a weight gain of at least 11 lbs over a 5 year period in women who regularly slept in a light polluted environment with the TV or light on. The idea is that we are genetically adapted to sunlight during the day and darkness at night. When we are regularly exposed to artificial light while sleeping, overtime, it can mess with our hormones and cause excess weight gain.
Another study showed that poor sleep was associated with increased calorie consumption in mice. In other words, sleep deprivation caused more food intake the next day, eventually resulting in an increase in body mass.
Learn more:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20937863/
- https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/sleeping-artificial-light-night-associated-weight-gain-women
At Cool Creek Family Health, based in lovely Carmel, Indiana, we’re not just another healthcare office. We’re your dedicated healthcare partner. With our direct primary care model, you’ll finally get the attention and consistency you deserve. Together, we’ll prioritize your health journey and work towards your best self. Say goodbye to the confusion of self-diagnosis and conflicting advice. Contact us today for a meet and greet and let’s make your health a priority again.
