Sleeping with the light on: good or bad habit?

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Extract from the article: Many adults have got into the habit of sleeping with the light on, a practice they often pass on to their children. This unconsciously harmless habit can have harmful long-term consequences for health.

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Many adults have got into the habit of sleeping with the light on, a practice they often pass on to their children. This unconsciously harmless habit can have harmful long-term consequences for health.

Exposure to artificial light during sleep disrupts the biological clock, affecting the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. ‘This exposure also sometimes prevents the body from getting deep, restorative sleep. In children, whose internal clock is still developing, these disruptions can be particularly problematic, leading to sleep disorders, reduced sleep quality and, ultimately, health problems such as obesity, diabetes and mood disorders’, explains Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner at the Floreal Clinic (Lomé).

Recent studies have highlighted the harmful effects of artificial light at night on health. A study by the Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, published in 2022 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), revealed that exposure to light during sleep disrupts blood sugar and cardiovascular regulation.  As well as disrupting the sleep cycle, exposure to light during the night, even at low levels, has a direct impact on our metabolism. Researchers have found that a single night spent in a brightly lit environment is enough to increase heart rate, reduce its variability and increase resistance to insulin, a hormone essential for regulating blood sugar levels.These metabolic disturbances are not insignificant: they significantly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems.In addition, the study reveals a link between exposure to night-time light and obesity, particularly in women. These results underline the crucial importance of darkness for restful sleep and optimal health.

To reduce exposure to light during sleep, ‘we recommend adopting simple but effective measures, such as installing blackout curtains, switching off electronic devices, using a sleep mask and reducing the light intensity of light bulbs before bedtime’, stresses Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner. These precautions, combined with adequate exposure to natural light during the day, are essential for preserving our biological clock and our general well-being.

Jean ELI