NEW YORK (Dispatches) -- A new study has found that older men and women being exposed to any amount of light while sleeping at night ,are more likely to be obese, and have high blood pressure and diabetes .
Researchers from the Northwestern University were surprised to find that less than half of the 552 study participants consistently had a five-hour period of complete darkness per day. The rest of participants were exposed to some light even during their darkest five-hour periods of the day, which were usually in the middle of their sleep at night.
Light exposure was measured with a wrist-worn device and tracked over seven days.
Individuals with conditions such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension may be more likely to use the bathroom in the middle of the night (with the light on) or may have another reason to keep the light on. Someone with foot numbness because of diabetes may want to keep a night light on to reduce the risk of falls.
Therefore , researchers suggest that older people with these conditions don’t turn lights on. If they need to have a light on (which older adults may want for safety), make it a dim light that is closer to the floor. Also , color is important. Amber or a red/orange light is less stimulating for the brain. They say that white or blue light should not be used andshould be kept far away from the sleeping person. Lastly , blackout shades or eye masks are good if the outdoor light can’t be controlled , beds can be moved so the outdoor light isn’t shining on the face.