Most of us are guilty of listening to music or watching TV before we sleep. However, women who do this are more prone to weight gain and obesity.

A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed that women who slept with the TV or any other light on in their room gained more weight.

What Happens When You Sleep with the TV on?

Sleep researchers say that when we sleep, the body needs to be in a state of total darkness.

This is because it is during this time that the body signals the release of important hormones like melatonin that help to regulate hunger, metabolism, and other bodily functions.

When you sleep with the TV on, you are exposing your body to light, which in turn signals the body to produce fewer amounts of melatonin.

In other words, your body doesn’t get the signal to rest, and the quality of sleep you get reduces significantly. Besides, the blue light emitted by TVs and other devices disrupts your body’s natural sleep cycle, which affects not only the quality of sleep but also your ability to lose weight.

How Light Affects Your Weight

Exposure to light has a direct impact on the body’s circadian rhythm, a natural cycle that governs the body’s sleep and wakefulness cycle.

A study conducted on mice showed those mice that were exposed to light for the entire day gained more weight than those exposed to darkness at night.

The body’s natural hunger signals, which are controlled by the hormone ghrelin, tend to be suppressed during the day and released at night.

This means that when you eat during the day, your body doesn’t store the food as fat since it is in an alert mode and ready to burn the calories. However, when you eat late at night, your body stores those calories as fat, as it is programmed to conserve energy when you are in a resting state, like when you are asleep.

The Role of Sleep in Weight Loss

Studies show that lack of sleep may lead to weight gain or obesity. According to the CDC, over 35% of Americans get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep per night.

The ideal time for sleeping is during a chunk of the night, uninterrupted by light or sound.

Getting inadequate sleep affects hormone production and distribution, leading to hormonal imbalances and weight gain. It impairs the production of appetite-regulating hormones like leptin, which reduce hunger and boost metabolism.

This leads to lower metabolism, uncontrolled hunger, and the accumulation of fat in your body. The body’s lack of rest also affects the cortisol hormone, leading to a spike in blood sugars, another cause of weight gain.

How to Improve Sleep Quality

For women who sleep with the TV on, it’s important to change the habit.

Instead of depending on TV or other devices to fall asleep, consider using natural sleep remedies like drinking chamomile tea, listening to calm music, or practicing relaxation techniques like yoga. Here are a few tips that can help improve sleep quality:.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime.
Ensure your bedroom is free from distractions such as televisions, mobile phones, and other devices.
Ensure your room is comfortable in terms of lighting, noise, temperature, and ventilation.
Establish a bedtime routine to help your body adjust to a regular sleep pattern.

The Bottom Line

Women who sleep with the TV on tend to have a harder time losing weight due to the impact of light on the body’s natural sleep mechanisms. This, in turn, leads to hormonal imbalances that can alter metabolism and contribute to weight gain.

Consider changing your sleeping habits to improve your sleep quality and overall health.