Light exposure during sleep impairs cardiometabolic function • Hacker News Board

Re: Light exposure during sleep impairs cardiometabolic function

#121

Post by mgoetzke » Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 6:39 AM UTC

egeozcan wrote: post #72

scanny wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here in Germany they have metal shutters that vertically descend and black out all light and sound. It’s common on most windows. They are permeated with little holes that allows light and sound in if they have not fully descended. If they have then the little holes are folded shut. I’ve found the same issue where if they’re completely down waking up is hard, so I leave the top two rows of holes open to let in natural…

I'm living in Germany and my wife really likes shutting them fully. That really makes it hard for me to wake up. I wish I could automate them. 2 problems: We don't own the flat we are living in and I wouldn't even know where to start hacking these fully closed electronic systems.

My Apple Watch actually starts brightening up before the alarm goes of to 'simulate' some light. My Pixel phone before also had that, works quite ok

Re: Light exposure during sleep impairs cardiometabolic function

#122

Post by gehwartzen » Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 2:25 PM UTC

owenversteeg wrote: post #17

The research discusses 100 lux for one whole night, which is quite a lot (indoor levels range from 100 to 1000 lux, outdoors from 10k on a cloudy day to 120k with direct sunlight at noon.) Like others here, I’m curious about other strengths of light - I assume up to 0.1 lux is fine, as moonlight is typically 0.05-0.1 lux, but what about between 0.1 and 100 lux? And what about light exposure during part of the sleep c…

I noticed that on nights the full moon was shining though the regular curtains on my bedroom window I would get a horrible nights sleep. It wasn't fixed until I got blackout curtains.

Re: Light exposure during sleep impairs cardiometabolic function

#123

Post by mikeiz404 » Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 8:33 PM UTC

cj wrote: post #29

scruple wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I don't use a set of blackout curtains, but I know several friends that say it makes a real difference. Maybe a year ago, I was planning on having a sleep study done. At some point in my 30s I stopped feeling like I was recovering when I slept. I decided, however, that there were some things that I could work on improving before having a sleep study. Most of what I addressed falls under sleep hygiene: Blackout curt…

Blackout curtains are great for sleeping, but I have trouble waking up and getting out of bed when the room is still completely dark (when it’s light outside in the AM). Recently bought some Hue smart lights to simulate sunrise with blackout curtains which is helping. Next up, motorized blinds that open at a scheduled time. (#firstworldproblems)

Have you tried a sleep mask? Once you lift it off the room will be light again.

I found that to help quite a bit and as a bonus they are portable and much more economical than motorized blinds or blackout curtains.

That being said motorized shades do seem pretty neat and may have a privacy advantage depending on where you live.

Re: Light exposure during sleep impairs cardiometabolic function

#124

Post by mikeiz404 » Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 8:42 PM UTC

yojo wrote: post #105

whoisburbansky wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huh, that's kind of wild. I'd assumed that blocking all light out at your eyes would do the same trick, I'll have to try the blackout curtains. Thanks!

I use a mask too, but it moves around when I sleep. Even properly positioned I haven’t found a mask that doesn’t leak around the edges.

Your face structure may be different than mine but I found this sleep mask stays put and works well at blocking out the light — https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07D3M5TTZ