Psychologist says one simple mistake can make insomnia worse – it's very common

From getsurrey.co.uk

Robert W.B. Love, a psychologist from the US, has issued a warning about sleep and says there is one common mistake that can make insomnia worse - and it's very common

An American psychologist shed light on a mistake many make – and it could be impacting your sleep.

Robert W.B. Love, a University of Texas in Austin PhD graduate specialising in cognitive areas and Alzheimer's disease prevention, has issued a warning about a common mistake that can exacerbate insomnia. Sleep, he asserts, is "essential" for brain health, but many people unknowingly increase their risk of insomnia, a condition characterised by difficulty falling or staying asleep, through a simple error.

This mistake, as Robert explains in a TikTok video posted on Sunday, February 23, involves wearing sunglasses during morning walks or shortly after waking up, which he believes heightens the likelihood of insomnia. According to Robert, sleep is the time when you "wire up your memory", and it aids the glymphatic system in "cleansing toxins and plaque from the brain".

He further clarified that the glymphatic system is "similar to the lymphatic system but it's for the brain". The health expert concluded: "People are making a simple mistake that is increasing the risk of insomnia. It is wearing sunglasses first thing in the morning.

"You've probably heard Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist at Stanford, share the importance of morning sunshine so get outside in the morning so you can get plenty of light in your eyes. Don't look directly at the sun but being outside stimulates your eyes and tells your brain it's morning and then it's much easier to fall asleep sixteen hours later, approximately sixteen hours later."

Robert suggested that wearing sunglasses during a morning walk could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your eyes, thereby diminishing the benefits of early morning sunshine or outdoor time. He advised people to continue wearing their regular glasses or contact lenses for morning walks, but removing sunglasses could be "really good for your sleep."

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) also emphasises the significance of sleep for brain function. It points out that without sleep, we cannot "form or maintain the pathways in your brain that let you learn and create new memories".

NINDS asserts that sleep is crucial to various brain functions, including neuron communication. The institute further notes: "In fact, your brain and body stay remarkably active while you sleep. Recent findings suggest that sleep plays a housekeeping role that removes toxins in your brain that build up while you are awake."

This aligns with Robert's thoughts on the glymphatic system's function. Also, All About Vision, a company specialising in vision and eye care, further elaborated on how wearing sunglasses in the morning could heighten insomnia risk.

It states: "Light is the principal control of our day to night cycle and influences everything from metabolism to sleep. This means we need exposure to bright daytime light, especially in the morning, to help regulate the quality of our sleep.

"Wearing sunglasses throughout the day blocks that morning light exposure and can disrupt your body's regular sleep rhythms. It's a bit like staying in a semi-darkened room at all times. Wait until after 9 or 10 a.m. to don those shades if you want to protect your ability to sleep soundly."

Robert's TikTok video discussing this topic has attracted attention with 18,200 views, 576 likes and numerous comments so far. One viewer expressed their gratitude, commenting: "Had no idea...thank you for educating us!"

https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/health/psychologist-says-one-simple-mistake-31067490