Looking to get slimmer? Try these easy tips from experts to get slimmer while you sleep!
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If you want to avoid packing on the pounds, it's time to start sleeping in the dark.
A new study published by Northwestern University has found a link between exposure to light at night and obesity.
The research, which was purely observational, found that 40.7% of people who were exposed to light before sleep were obese, compared to 26.7% of the group who were not exposed to light for five hours.
The scientists also noted that while the study does not prove that being exposed to flashing lights while you are sleeping specifically makes you fat, it provided enough evidence to show that light exposure at night fuels weight gain — a precursor to chronic health conditions, such as sleep disorders, obesity, diabetes and depression.
This is because light exposure at night disrupts your natural circadian rhythm — a 24-hour cycle that dictates when we feel sleepy and when we feel awake.
The circadian rhythm is influenced by both natural factors within the body and environmental signals such as daylight.
A new study revealed that there’s a link between light exposure at night and gaining weight. Credit: Northwestern University.
So, how does artificial lighting disrupt your sleep cycle?
Light suppresses the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that influences circadian rhythms and helps with sleep.
In the evening, melatonin levels rise and stay elevated throughout the night, promoting sleep.
However, artificial lighting and electronics with blue wavelengths can trick the mind into thinking it's daytime, which can disrupt your natural sleep cycle.
So, what does this mean for you?
If you're trying to lose weight or avoid gaining weight, it's time to start sleeping in complete darkness. That means no more late-night TV watching, no more using your phone before bedtime, and no more sleeping with the lights on.
But what about those people who need a light on in order to move around their rooms at night?
It was advised that people, especially the elderly, who have trouble navigating their rooms or homes in total darkness can use dim lights that are close to the floor instead.
Light exposure at night can trick your body into thinking it is still daytime. Credit: iStock.
Neurologist and author Dr Minjee Kim recommended: "Whether it be from one's smartphone, leaving a TV on overnight or light pollution in a big city, we live among an abundant number of artificial sources of light that are available 24 hours of a day."
Sleep medicine expert and co-author Dr Phyllis Zee also suggested: "It's important for people to avoid or minimise the amount of light exposure during sleep."
The researchers said that further research is needed to prove that staring at light-emitting screens — such as smartphones and TV — at night has long-term effects on weight gain and associated conditions.
So, there you have it, folks! We're honestly looking forward to trying this tip. How about you? Will you give this a go?
We also recommend checking out this article for more tips on how to have a good night's sleep!
A new study published by Northwestern University has found a link between exposure to light at night and obesity.
The research, which was purely observational, found that 40.7% of people who were exposed to light before sleep were obese, compared to 26.7% of the group who were not exposed to light for five hours.
The scientists also noted that while the study does not prove that being exposed to flashing lights while you are sleeping specifically makes you fat, it provided enough evidence to show that light exposure at night fuels weight gain — a precursor to chronic health conditions, such as sleep disorders, obesity, diabetes and depression.
This is because light exposure at night disrupts your natural circadian rhythm — a 24-hour cycle that dictates when we feel sleepy and when we feel awake.
The circadian rhythm is influenced by both natural factors within the body and environmental signals such as daylight.
A new study revealed that there’s a link between light exposure at night and gaining weight. Credit: Northwestern University.
So, how does artificial lighting disrupt your sleep cycle?
Light suppresses the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that influences circadian rhythms and helps with sleep.
In the evening, melatonin levels rise and stay elevated throughout the night, promoting sleep.
However, artificial lighting and electronics with blue wavelengths can trick the mind into thinking it's daytime, which can disrupt your natural sleep cycle.
So, what does this mean for you?
If you're trying to lose weight or avoid gaining weight, it's time to start sleeping in complete darkness. That means no more late-night TV watching, no more using your phone before bedtime, and no more sleeping with the lights on.
But what about those people who need a light on in order to move around their rooms at night?
It was advised that people, especially the elderly, who have trouble navigating their rooms or homes in total darkness can use dim lights that are close to the floor instead.
Light exposure at night can trick your body into thinking it is still daytime. Credit: iStock.
Neurologist and author Dr Minjee Kim recommended: "Whether it be from one's smartphone, leaving a TV on overnight or light pollution in a big city, we live among an abundant number of artificial sources of light that are available 24 hours of a day."
Sleep medicine expert and co-author Dr Phyllis Zee also suggested: "It's important for people to avoid or minimise the amount of light exposure during sleep."
The researchers said that further research is needed to prove that staring at light-emitting screens — such as smartphones and TV — at night has long-term effects on weight gain and associated conditions.
So, there you have it, folks! We're honestly looking forward to trying this tip. How about you? Will you give this a go?
We also recommend checking out this article for more tips on how to have a good night's sleep!
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