The surprising secret to a good night’s sleep

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!
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.
“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?
74 Member Comments
If I brush my teeth in the dark I won't be able to see myself in the mirror.
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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.
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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.
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Yes those heat lamps are so bright
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My bathroom has heat lamps, so the warm fuzziness helps me fall asleep
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really? I doubt that room lights do as much damage as lights from mobile devices. Thankfully there's bluelight filter XD
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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.
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Hmmm, not so sure about this one......
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I always aim for 7 hrs, but in reality I meed more. Meditation really helps me fall asleep.
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how cute is that loop video of kirsten dunst brushing her teeth. she was so young.
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That's so weird! I don't sleep anywhere near enough, need all the advice I can get.
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I wake up nearly every night at some point
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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.
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I like showering with candles lit in the bathroom and no lights on. It's my imaginary standing in the rain naked. Weird, huh?!
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I wouldn't be able to see what I'm doing!
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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!
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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.
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Worth a try - I always sleep badly
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I'm going to try this out tonight. It's definitely worth a go :)
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I tried it once and couldn't see anything....ambient light from the hallway might work....lol
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I think to do this I'd have to change my whole routine, don't know if that would work.
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Good grief - it's worth a try.
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I'm going to give this a go - it certainly makes sense!
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I struggle to sleep a lot, but I found sleeping with a body pillow, or a large bear gets me to sleep quicker :)
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Oh I will like to try this
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