Maintaining healthy routines and setting up your bedroom in a way that supports sleep are key parts of good sleep hygiene.
To get your best night’s sleep, try the following tips for eliminating light sources in your bedroom and avoiding bright lights before bed.
Cover Windows
Light from the sun and moon, as well as security lights or street lights, can enter the bedroom through windows. If your blinds or curtains do not block outside light sufficiently, you might consider investing in blackout curtains. Covering the window with aluminum foil is a low-cost alternative that also blocks outdoor light.
Mind the Gap
The gap between the door and the floor is another potential source of light at night. Turn off hallway lights before going to bed, or place a rolled-up towel against your door gap to block light from entering.
Wear an Eye Mask
If it’s not possible to block light from entering your room, or if you prefer not to, wearing an eye mask might help. Keep in mind that you need to keep the eye mask on throughout the night in order for it to be effective in preventing your exposure to light. Research suggests that light penetrates the eyelids and, in doing so, inhibits melatonin production.
Stay Away Electronics
Although the temptation to use them might be strong, it’s best to put your cell phone, laptop, and tablet away at least 30 minutes before bed to promote quality sleep. Take a look around your bedroom environment to identify all sources of light, such as digital clocks, charging stations, and other electronics. Cover up these lights, or store them outside the bedroom.
Dim the Lights
Because bright light suppresses the production of melatonin, try switching from bright overhead lights to dim ambient lighting in your home during the hours leading up to bedtime.
Also, consider nighttime needs.
You may need to use the bathroom or get a drink of water in the middle of the night. Rather than turning on overhead lights to illuminate your pathway, you could install motion-sensor nightlights. It’s important to have enough light so that you can safely make your way through your home, but limiting the amount of light you are exposed to can mitigate disruption to sleep and help you fall asleep again more quickly.
Source: sleepfoundation.org
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