Why falling asleep with the TV on could be harming your health

Ever nodded off with the soft glow of the TV keeping you company? You’re not alone — but it might be time to rethink that bedtime habit.

American emergency doctor Dr. Joe Whittington has warned that drifting off in front of the television could be doing more harm than good. What seems like a harmless way to unwind could actually be linked to a range of health problems, including weight gain, high blood pressure, and even diabetes.

He says it’s worth giving your nighttime routine a second look — your body (and your sleep quality) might thank you for it.

“Falling asleep with the TV on may actually shorten your life and negatively affect your health. Here’s why,” the American emergency doctor said.

@drjoe_md Do you sleep with the tv on? Studies have shown this can negatively affect your health! #insomnia #nightlight #medical #helathtips ♬ original sound – Dr. Joe, M.D. 🩺

Supporting his claims is a noteworthy 2022 study conducted by Chicago researchers from Northwestern University School of Medicine. The study involved over 550 participants, ranging from 63 to 84 years old, who wore watches to bed. The purpose? To measure the ambient light exposure during their least active hours of the night and correlate it with their health conditions.

“The study found those that slept with even the slightest amount of ambient lighting in the room were more likely to suffer diabetes, obesity and hypertension,” Dr Whittington said.

“What they found was people who slept with dim lighting, such as from a TV or even a smartphone, the next morning had higher levels of insulin resistance, thereby affecting people’s ability to regulate glucose levels.

“The differences in obesity and diabetes in participants was quite staggering.”

He encouraged everyone to make a simple lifestyle change to “give yourself the best chance of a long and happy life”.

So, what’s the prescription for a healthier sleep routine? Dr. Whittington recommends making the switch to silence and darkness.

If the thought of absolute silence unnerves you, he suggests using a white noise machine as a substitute for ambient noise.

“Black out the lights, put on some white noise and live forever… or maybe just longer,” he said.

Concluding with a strong piece of advice: “Don’t fall asleep with the TV on.”

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.