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Associate executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva earned his board certification in sleep medicine from the American Board of Pediatrics. In his professional responsibilities, Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disruptions.
Sleep can be disturbed by different factors, one of which is light. While bright light signals the body it’s time to get up, darkness encourages rest and sleep. Controlling light in the bedroom can contribute to a peaceful sleep.
Both sunlight and artificial light produce a chemical reaction that activates the body, causing a person to be awake, whether it is an appropriate time or not. Since the body is sensitive to light, using low wattage bulbs around bedtime and blocking any outside source of artificial light, like streetlights, may be necessary to have a restful sleep.
Light from electronic devices also keeps the body alert. The blue light from different displays slows down the release of melatonin, thereby keeping the body active. To avoid difficulty in sleeping, stay away from computer and smartphone screens for one hour before bedtime. Instead, read a book to prepare the body for the night.
Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva 