Ever wonder why, despite getting enough sleep, you still feel exhausted, moody, or unfocused? Research suggests the issue might be your exposure to artificial light at night, such as screens from smartphones, tablets, computers, and LED lights.
In this article, we’ll have a look at what scientists have discovered and what you can do if you’re struggling to get a good night’s rest.
Image Credit: New Africa via Shutterstock / HDR tune by Universal-Sci
How Light at Night Affects Your Body
Research led by neuroscientist Dr. Randy J. Nelson of West Virginia University reveals that artificial light at night goes beyond simply affecting your sleep.
First, it can interfere with the immune system, making it either weaker or causing too much inflammation. The research also shows that disturbing our natural sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm) can lead to problems with metabolism, which may help explain rising obesity rates.
Interestingly, the studies found that messing with our body’s internal clock can also directly affect our mood, which could help us better understand depression and anxiety.
Current clinical trials at West Virginia University are exploring ways to reduce the harmful effects of nighttime lighting, especially in healthcare settings. These trials aim to determine whether improved lighting conditions can enhance recovery after medical procedures such as strokes and heart surgeries, as well as benefit shift workers who often experience disrupted sleep.
Why Timing Matters
An intriguing aspect of circadian research emphasizes timing as a crucial factor in science and medicine. According to Dr. Nelson, "The answer to an experimental question may depend in part on the time of day when the question is asked."
Suggested article: A good night's sleep starts during the day - 10 simple tips to improve sleep quality - (Universal-Sci)
Recognizing time of day as an important biological variable could lead to more consistent and accurate scientific results, helping us better understand and treat diseases associated with disrupted biological rhythms.
Simple Changes, Major Benefits
You can protect your health by taking straightforward steps like reducing evening screen time, opting for warmer lighting colours after sunset, and keeping a regular sleep schedule. These simple habits align your lifestyle more closely with natural light cycles and may prevent various health issues related to circadian disruption.
Suggested article: How Unpredictable Sleep Patterns Can Harm Your Health - (Universal-Sci)
If you are interested in more details about the research read the article published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Brain Medicine, listed below.
Sources, further reading and more interesting articles:
Randy J. Nelson: Disruption of circadian rhythms on brain function and health - (Brain Medicine)
Better Sleep Begins Before Bedtime: 10 Easy Tips for Restful Nights - (Universal-Sci)
How Unpredictable Sleep Patterns Can Harm Your Health - (Universal-Sci)
Can catching up on sleep during the weekend save your heart? - (Universal-Sci)
An Increasing Number of People Are Struggling with Sleep: Four Common Causes and Helpful Solutions - (Universal-Sci)
Too busy to follow science news during the week? - Consider subscribing to our (free) newsletter - (Universal-Sci Weekly) - and get the 5 most interesting science articles of the week in your inbox
FEATURED ARTICLES:
