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    The surprising secret to a good night’s sleep

    2 Nov 2015 2:25 PM | Posted by
    Beth E's picture
    Beth E
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    Do you struggle to get a full night’s sleep? Do you often lurch awake in the middle of the night?

    Well, you may be interested in the latest surprising sleep advice.

    Apparently, the secret to a blissful eight hours could be as simple as brushing your teeth – in the dark!

    Light off gif

    According to Oxford neuroscientist Russell Foster, humans have evolved to respond to natural light levels, telling us whether to wake up or wind down.

    But the artificial bathroom light interrupts the process, inhibiting sleep-promoting neurons in our brains, while activating neurons that boost alertness.

    So basically, bright bathroom lights wake up our bodies at a time when we’re supposed to be preparing to rest.

    Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Professor Foster pointed out the inconsistency in many peoples’ night-time routines: “Often people will turn their lights down at night which helps to get the body ready for sleep, but then they will go and brush their teeth and turn their bathroom light on.

    Brushing teeth gif

    “That is very disrupting. I often think someone should invent a bathroom mirror light which has a different setting for night-time.”

    Alternatively, you could always go with the glow of the hall light. 

    Whether or not you agree with Professor Foster’s advice, you can’t ignore the fact that science says we need at least seven and a half hours a night to function at our best.

    So, if brushing our teeth in the dark can help get us there, I say we flick the switch!
     

    Do you brush your teeth in the dark? Do you have any other tips for getting a good night’s sleep?

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    74 Member Comments

    BeautySwan88 27 Dec 2020 5:12 AM

    If I brush my teeth in the dark I won't be able to see myself in the mirror.

    Goddess..... 28 May 2018 3:38 PM

    I need some sort of light on brushing my teeth & doing my nightly routine just before bedtime whether it to be a candle or an actually light it doesn't matter as long as I've light to do all that but don't see how this would make me fall asleep, on the other hand a bright light can wake me up if you are going to the bathroom late through the night to go to the loo before going back to sleep. Most night's I've fallen asleep with the lights/tv on & other night's I haven't.

    onlyoni 5 Mar 2018 7:43 AM

    I usually brush my teeth an our or two before going to bed and then just drink water after that. I don't have any trouble falling asleep and have eight hours each night.

    Shop A Everyday 9 Aug 2016 12:01 AM

    Yes those heat lamps are so bright

    fortune favours the beautiful 8 Aug 2016 10:28 PM

    My bathroom has heat lamps, so the warm fuzziness helps me fall asleep

    cosmoslyn 8 Aug 2016 9:39 PM

    really? I doubt that room lights do as much damage as lights from mobile devices. Thankfully there's bluelight filter XD

    survivor2012 17 May 2016 10:42 PM

    My days are pretty full on. I don't have trouble falling asleep and I do use normal lights plus the heat lights to brush my teeth.

    sootyblack_14 16 Apr 2016 1:40 PM

    Hmmm, not so sure about this one......

    skincare junkie 11 Apr 2016 9:12 AM

    I always aim for 7 hrs, but in reality I meed more. Meditation really helps me fall asleep.

    preciousia 3 Apr 2016 9:55 AM

    how cute is that loop video of kirsten dunst brushing her teeth. she was so young.

    duality 28 Mar 2016 5:07 PM

    That's so weird! I don't sleep anywhere near enough, need all the advice I can get.

    Shop A Everyday 20 Mar 2016 5:20 PM

    I wake up nearly every night at some point

    talk-a-lot 18 Mar 2016 7:22 PM

    I have never thought of brushing my teeth in dimmed light to help me sleep. I am pretty lucky that I can fall off to sleep quickly, I am usually buggered after working all day.

    TheUglyDuckling 12 Feb 2016 12:00 AM

    I like showering with candles lit in the bathroom and no lights on. It's my imaginary standing in the rain naked. Weird, huh?!

    Snailor 25 Jan 2016 2:03 AM

    I wouldn't be able to see what I'm doing!

    Imwicked 24 Jan 2016 4:53 PM

    I wouldn't be able to brush my teeth in the dark, but if I have to get up, I don't switch on a light, I just fumble my way around!

    Redrobyn 22 Jan 2016 4:48 PM

    Well this makes total sense to me. I don't know why I haven't tried it sooner! Will give it a go starting tonight. Thanks for the great tip Beautyheaven.

    Alyssa564 21 Jan 2016 10:19 AM

    Worth a try - I always sleep badly

    Clover77 18 Jan 2016 10:32 PM

    I'm going to try this out tonight. It's definitely worth a go :)

    Gogrl600 18 Jan 2016 5:40 AM

    I tried it once and couldn't see anything....ambient light from the hallway might work....lol

    Gilliey 15 Jan 2016 2:55 PM

    I think to do this I'd have to change my whole routine, don't know if that would work.

    Trish_D 15 Jan 2016 3:47 AM

    Good grief - it's worth a try.

    HanLou 14 Jan 2016 12:20 PM

    I'm going to give this a go - it certainly makes sense!

    Keely Gemma 14 Jan 2016 11:57 AM

    I struggle to sleep a lot, but I found sleeping with a body pillow, or a large bear gets me to sleep quicker :)

    Shop A Everyday 31 Dec 2015 2:37 PM

    Oh I will like to try this

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