Is it really necessary to sleep in total darkness for a good night's rest?

Sleeping near a screen has become just another part of our bedtime routine. Watching a video, checking social media, or replying to a WhatsApp before bed is totally a habit now. But what many people don't realize is that even a little bit of screen time before bed makes it harder to actually fall asleep. According to a study by the National Sleep Foundation, most people even bring their mobile phone into the bedroom when it's time to sleep.

Our bodies actually switch on and off depending on sunlight. When it's daytime or we're exposed to light, we wake up because our body thinks it's time to get going. This totally messes with our circadian rhythm and, in turn, our sleep. But when it's nighttime or we're in the dark, our body gets ready for rest and just chills out.

Being exposed to screens and lights actually triggers our brain to activate, stopping our body from getting ready for sleep. So, what happens? Our body stays active during what should be rest time, making it take way longer than usual to fall asleep. This really messes with our rest and overall health.

One of the biggest things that can happen if you sleep with artificial light or screens around is insomnia. When it becomes a constant struggle to fall asleep, it can actually lead to full-blown insomnia, even when there's no light around. To steer clear of this, it's super important to avoid screens for at least 2 hours before bed, stick to a good sleep routine, and sleep in total darkness.

Other issues connected to or caused by not getting enough sleep from constant screen exposure while we're trying to snooze are depression and obesity. When you sleep with the TV on or with continuous light all night, you're basically sending mixed signals to your body and mind. On one hand, it's time to rest, but then you're also introducing something that activates your brain and body. This mental disruption can lead to psychological discomfort because we're not letting our body get the proper rest it needs.

When we can't catch some Zs at night, those trips to the fridge or pantry usually become more frequent. One common side effect of insomnia is munching at odd hours while you're awake at night. If these late-night snacks become a habit, they can totally lead to weight problems.

On the flip side, that constant discomfort from not getting enough sleep can really mess with your head, even leading to depression because you just can't get proper rest.

While kids who are afraid of the dark often have a small night light, it's usually super dim so it doesn't interrupt their sleep. Nowadays, sensor lights are used to avoid constant light exposure while you're sleeping. And let's be real, sleeping in complete darkness totally has its perks for our daily rest.

Being totally in the dark when you hit the hay helps you relax and boosts the production of melatonin, which is your body's sleep hormone. This gets your body super ready for rest, helping you drift off much faster than if there's any light around.

If we can fall asleep quicker, we'll get more hours of shut-eye instead of just tossing and turning. When we get the right amount of sleep, our bodies and minds feel way more rested, we're more productive, and we're generally happier. Plus, it's just better for your overall sleep health!

Screens, pollution, dust... our eyes are always bombarded with stuff that can cause damage. Giving our eyes a break is super important for good eye health. 

At night, screen time is even tougher on our eyes. That's because the bright light makes us strain more to see, and the screen's rays hit our eyes harder. 

So, when it's time for bed, we really need to let our eyes rest from all those unnecessary lights and screens. After a night of good, restorative sleep, our eyes feel relaxed and healthy.