Sleep is integral to our well-being.
According to the Sleep Society, an adult should get at least 7 hours of continuous sleep.
Most people grew up knowing that lights should be switched off when sleeping.
But now that nightlights have been introduced, many folks are changing that perception.
So, Should You Have Nightlights in Every Room of Your Home?
Every room of your house functions differently. So, it may not be logical to install nightlights in all rooms. Remember, nightlights are designed to help individuals sleep better. Therefore, they are ideal in bedrooms. Placing a nightlight in the kitchen or dining may not make sense unless you sleep in these rooms. Doing that will be a waste of money, not to mention the inappropriate use of nightlights.
What Are Nightlights Anyway?
They’re lights to be left on at night and help light a room by producing a soft glow designed to encourage one to sleep better.
They are small and sometimes used for security purposes in an indoor area that becomes dark at night.
Nightlights help you feel safe in the dark.
They can guide you to your bathroom and make those afraid of the dark feel safe. By emitting a soft glow, nightlights allow you to see in the dark without falling or colliding with things.
Plus, the light will not disrupt your sleep. Sometimes, you may use these lights as an emergency exit if the situation calls for that.
What Are the Best Rooms to Install a Nightlight?
Now that we know what a night light is and its functions, it’s easy to predict the best outlets to put them:
1. Hallway
If you want to go into the kitchen for a snack in the dark, you can use a nightlight to guide your path.
The light it emits will prevent you from knocking things over and making noise.
The gentle glow from the lights ensures you’re not blinded by too much light and don’t collide with things on the way.
2. Kitchen Counters
Some snacks need preparation. But others you can grab and eat immediately.
In that case, having a nightlight on your kitchen countertop can be beneficial.
It will allow you to easily use kitchen appliances like blenders, fridges, and microwaves.
3. Bathrooms
It’s common to make trips to the bathroom at night. But when you flip on the bright lights, they can disturb your eyes, and you may wake other people.
Well, the nightlight in the hallway will guide you to the bathroom.
But you also should consider installing it in the bathroom to allow you to see correctly with dilating your eyes.
Once you are done, it’ll be easy to fall back to sleep, and you will not risk waking other household members while attending to nature calls.
4. Kid’s Room and Bed Rooms
Some kids are afraid of the dark, and some adults are not comfortable sleeping in total darkness.
To make things more comforting, add a nightlight to bedrooms. Since it gives a soft glow, it makes someone feel safe without interrupting their sleep.
We have looked at the areas to install a nightlight.
But what are the rooms that shouldn’t have a nightlight? Truthfully speaking, there are no strict rules about where to install or not to install a nightlight.
For this reason, some people install these lights in every room of their homes.
While this isn’t a crime, some rooms may not benefit from having a nightlight, especially those you don’t visit in the dark.
For instance, the garage, pantry, living room, and dining room can do without a nightlight unless you frequently use them when it’s dark.
What Are The Benefits of a Nightlight?
Nightlights offer various benefits.
For instance, they can make children and adults more comfortable when sleeping.
Children who experience nightmares or are afraid of the dark can greatly benefit from a nightlight.
If they wake up in the middle of the night, the nightlight will make them feel safe as they will see there is no one or nothing in the room.
Some experts even say that leaving a nightlight in the kid’s room may help with their visual development.
Aside from security, they also ensure nighttime safety.
Navigating hallways and bedrooms in the dark can be difficult.
A soft glow in these places can simplify things for them.
The Drawbacks of Sleeping with Night Lights on
Although nightlights offer various advantages, they are not perfect.
Some research pieces claim that they can disturb sleep in adults and kids since they make people wake up frequently at night.
What’s the explanation for this?
Well, nightlights usually produce white or blue light. But these lights’ wavelengths are said to affect our bodies significantly.
These types can hinder melatonin production, a hormone needed for sleep.
As a result, it can be hard to fall asleep.
As soon as it gets dark outside, our bodies will begin producing melatonin and cortisol, a hormone that helps you be alert whenever there is white/blue light or daylight.
Children need more melatonin to help them fall and stay asleep.
Therefore, even though a nightlight may comfort your child, it may also make it hard for them to drift away or sleep longer.
If you install a nightlight in your room or kid’s room and you realize that you or your kids have trouble sleeping, you may consider uninstalling it and letting complete darkness fill the room.
For children afraid of the dark, you can stay with them until they fall asleep or have them sleep with you if possible.
Additionally, you can have a light in your hallway to help you navigate your way to the kitchen.
Or you can have a nightlight timer and set it to turn off when your child sleeps.
How Do You Choose the Right Nightlight?
The first consideration is where your electrical sockets are.
These will determine how much light will hit your eyes.
When the power outlets are near, you will experience brighter light than when they are far.
The nightlight needs to be at a distance from the bed to allow you to sleep comfortably.
Additionally, think about the nightlight’s color.
Please don’t place blue and white lights in the bedroom as they interfere with sleep.
Instead, choose the red or the orange models as they allow you to fall asleep and remain so until dawn.
Another consideration is the nightlight’s brightness.
You should pick one that gives a soft and ambient glow.
Avoid lights that emit too much brightness as they can lead to restlessness and disrupt your sleep.
Conclusion
You don’t need a nightlight in every room.
Pick the rooms that you think are most important to install these lights like the ones we mentioned above and have them installed.
Also, remember that it’s always best to sleep in total darkness.
However, if you or your child is struggling to sleep, consider using a nightlight that emits red light to ensure that your sleep isn’t disrupted.
References
https://medium.com/escalto/5-benefits-of-night-lamps-for-you-to-sleep-better-7ce1bf982861
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/night-lights-affect-childrens-sleep
