Certain Christmas decorations could keep you awake at night, warns sleep expert

10 December 2023 , 17:40

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Christmas lights may look appealing - but they may be having a negative impact on your sleep pattern (Stock Image) (Image: Getty Images)

As the most wonderful time of the year fast approaches, people's homes will be adorned with festive lights, Christmas trees, and garlands galore - but a sleep psychologist has warned that your Christmas decorations could be keeping you up at night.

Dr Katherine Hall, the resident sleep psychologist at Happy Beds, shared how you can have the best sleep this December - and fans of festive lights may be left gutted as it may mean you have to dim the lights each night earlier than you may like to. "Being exposed to intense, bright, or flashing lights before bedtime is a sleep hygiene faux pas", she explained.

She explained that the lights we know and love in the festive season "send the wrong signal to your brain, disrupting melatonin production and hindering your sleep-wake cycle", which isn't ideal if you want to get a proper night's sleep.

Many people will be wondering what sorts of lights are to be avoided. Dr Hall recommended avoiding blue light, as it suppresses melatonin and interferes with your circadian rhythm. "Blue light is often found in artificial lights, particularly phones and LED lights due to its stimulating effect which causes alertness and, therefore, negatively impacts your sleep cycle", she said.

Multi-coloured lights also disrupt melatonin regulation, and are not "conducive to a restful night's sleep." Similarly, flashing lights create heightened visual stimulation, hindering your ability to switch off at night, Dr Hall explained.

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So what should you do to avoid sleep problems this festive season? "Allow melatonin production to follow its natural circadian rhythm by turning off blue, multi-coloured, or flashing lights two hours before bedtime. This promotes a smoother transition to sleep and enhances overall sleep quality", Dr Hall shared.

Alternatively, opt for warmer coloured lights, as they "offer a gentler and more soothing glow, aligning better to promote relaxation and better sleep quality."

Danielle Kate Wroe