Sleep better: Common mistake that could be costing you a good night’s rest: ‘Avoid it!’

Paper author and neurologist Dr Daniela Grimaldi, also of Northwestern University, said: “We showed your heart rate increases when you sleep in a moderately lit room.

“Even though you are asleep, your autonomic nervous system is activated. That’s bad.

“Usually, your heart rate together with other cardiovascular parameters are lower at night and higher during the day.”

The findings build on previous studies that indicated that light exposure during the daytime serves to activate the sympathetic nervous system, increasing one’s heart rate.

In this way, the team explained, daylight kicks our hearts into “high gear” and increases our alertness so that we can better meet the challenges of the day.

Dr Zee said: “Our results indicate that a similar effect is also present when exposure to light occurs during nighttime sleep.”

At night, our bodies are supposed to be administered by the parasympathetic nervous system, which plays a role in so-called “rest-and-digest” functions at night.

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Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1582759/sleep-better-common-mistake-costs-good-nights-rest-lights-off