Sleep Do you get so tired when relaxing on the sofa in the evening that your eyes close and you can’t drag yourself to bed? Researchers explain why you should break this habit as quickly as possible.
Some people look forward to going to bed at night – they celebrate going to sleep, love their cozy bed and maybe read a few pages before curling up under their covers.
Then there is the other faction – those who can never understand how anyone can voluntarily give up being awake. As a result, many regularly doze off in front of the television.
However, researchers warn that this can be harmful to health.
Too much light harms sleep quality
A joint study by Harvard University and the University of Surrey shows that those who regularly expose themselves to bright living room light and television light in the evening inhibit their melatonin production.
The hormone melatonin is released by the pineal gland when it gets dark and regulates the sleep and wake cycle. Although many people spend their evenings in bright light, there has been little in-depth research into its effects. The researchers took this as an opportunity to compare sleep quality with different evening and bedtime habits.
The result: If you sit in front of the TV, computer or tablet for a long time in the evening and possibly fall asleep temporarily, your melatonin secretion will be greatly reduced.
Falling asleep in front of the TV is not a good idea
One more consequence – who hasn’t heard it? If you spend hours in the artificial light of a screen, the hypothalamus slows down the release of melatonin. Even if you are physically exhausted, your brain is not prepared for sleep. Televisions and computers also ensure that you don’t get tired and are therefore exposed to harmful light for longer.
This results in problems falling asleep and the quality of sleep is impaired – the result is frequent waking. “We should not expose ourselves to any artificial light at all in the evening. Period!” Clear words from Dr. Dianne Augelite of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to the magazine ‘SELF’ .Instead of struggling with tiredness in front of the television every evening, bedtime rituals such as reading or taking a warm bath can help you fall asleep faster – and wake up more refreshed the next morning.
read also: How to sleep well to live better
