To sleep with a light on?

[skybluee]

It's a solar light before we get into a discussion about electricity.

For the past few years I've slept either in the day (I'm self employed so it doesn't really matter) or with a light (lamp type of thing) on. I seem to sleep much better with a light on.

However, I recently read an article about melatonin and how it's only produced when it's very dark, and the bad effects of it not being produced - it is meant to give worse quality sleep (although I feel like I sleep better), but more than that, it's linked to health problems and inflammation. Apparently sleeping in the dark does us good.

The light is actually pink glass so it may not be as bad because the article said red light and things like campfires didn't have the same effect - however, it's still a bulb, even if it's diffused by pink glass.

I actually started off doing this because of an eye problem (had to put drops in every two hours and couldn't do switching the light on and off) but that got better :), but now it's habit and I'm so used to it that I hate switching it off, and I look forward to the sun coming up and dawn. It's like I can relax and sleep then, but obviously, that's at 4am so it isn't very practical.

Does anyone know much about this and melatonin? I'm wondering if I should try and phase it out.

Thank you.

I think your body benefits from the dark as it helps to promote deeper sleep. Perhaps a red light might help?

I sleep with a nightlight when DH is away (watched too many horror movies as a young child).

Could you compromise by getting a motion activated nightlight (that you plug in)? hat way if you do need the light you just way your hand.

How about a timer for the lamp? If you find it easier to fall asleep with the light on can you make your room otherwise dark and then set it to go off after 20 minutes or so, so that your actual sleep is in a dark room? I take melatonin every night to help with my sleep and - unless I fall asleep 'accidentally' - I have my room very dark with blackout blinds and curtains (I find neither dark enough on their own). But yes, melatonin really only works on the body, or is produced by the body, properly at night and your sleep, or lack of, especially at night really can have an affect on your health. You need to work out your own personal body clock though. I'm unfortunately a night person, that's my natural rhythm, always has been. I have always worked/studied etc best in the late afternoon till early morning and have always found I'm really unproductive during the morning and early afternoon. It can take work if you want to try and help to slowly push your body clock in the right direction. I've been working on it for some time and have taken melatonin for a few years now after picking some up in a French pharmacy, and I still order the same brand from France now. So maybe the timer first so that you're sleeping in a dark room, and try to sleep at night when/if you can, and perhaps speak to your gp or research melatonin (if you feel that may help) because although I didn't I still wouldn't recommend it to anyone else without them speaking to someone first. Although unlikely to get it on prescription here the gp may still be able to give guidance on it.

Hi,
Thank you for your replies.
I'm going to try sleeping with a dimmer light tonight. It's a solar light but inflatable so the light is diffused by the plastic.
I'll look into red lights as I can change the bulb in the lamp (the first one, not that one).
I think I move too much for a motion-sensitive one unfortunately but thank you for the suggestion. It would be flashing all night lol as I fidget.
That's interesting about taking melatonin. I must not be producing any :( as I am in light all of the time.

This light is about half the brightness so I guess I'll see how that goes.

It's weird as one of my friends can't sleep unless it's pitch black but I'm the opposite, I think I'd sleep best in a busy airport where people could see me. I know it doesn't make sense. I wonder if I should redo my room or something as it's kind of associated with sleep problems now and I kind of dread going to bed. Also, I used to sleep in day clothes not pyjamas (jogger bottoms and a T shirt) and think I used to sleep better in that, maybe should get those.
At the moment I'm going to bed at 4:30am which I know is nuts.

I don't really know how it got like this. I used to sleep for nine hours a night!

If you like sleeping with a light on and you feel like you’re getting enough sleep, what’s the problem? I’d just carry on.

My sleep isn't great and I wasn't sure if I was making it worse and was concerned after I read about the health effects/melatonin and humans needing the dark, but you're right... it may well be better tbh... also, the room is half light half dark really.

I'm going to try tonight without and see what happens. It's relatively light anyway now.

Also if I go away I have to take the lamp with me (have taken it in suitcases before!) which is a bit inconvenient.

If you sleep well and wake feeling rested then no problem surely.