Some people like to lie on the couch in front of the TV until they fall asleep, which is a classic scenario that is hardly without consequences.

Others use television to relax, or rather to "numb" their minds when feeling tired and stressed, to make falling asleep easier.

As writer Alexandre Fradlin says, in a report published in the French newspaper "lefigaro".

People often feel sleepy in front of the TV, so they don't stop themselves from taking a nap.

Although this habit may not affect the sleep of some of them the rest of the night, taking a nap in front of the television for the large majority of people can harm the quality of their sleep.

Vanessa Slimani, director of the Interdisciplinary Sleep Center, and President of the National Institute of Sleep and Wakefulness, neurologist Mark Ray, explain why.

The blue light emitted by a TV or smartphone screen blocks the secretion of the sleep hormone "melatonin" (German)

Blue light is the enemy of sleep

The problem with television is the blue light emitted from the screen, which disrupts our biological clock responsible for regulating sleep cycles, which is affected by factors such as diet, light and physical activity.

According to Dr. Mark Ray, "This light contributes to improving the color contrast in devices' screens (such as TVs, computers, smartphones, and tablets), but it is similar to a bright morning light. Obviously, this brightness will act as a signal that tells the body that it is in the day and needs to be awake ".

Dr. and psychiatrist Vanessa Slimani explained that blue light prevents "the production of melatonin, known as the sleep hormone, which the body secretes as soon as darkness falls," by delaying the time of sleep, and this blue light causes "an imbalance in the rhythm of sleep."

Studies have found that worrying news has a marked effect on sleep quality (Getty Images)

Interrupted sleep and loss of safety

Sleeping in front of the television without turning it off interferes with the rest cycle. Neurologist Mark Ray stated that “changes in sound, like commercials, cause us to wake up several times and cause intermittent sleep, and the same is true for altered visual stimulation. After waking up during the night, It can be difficult to fall asleep again, and this feels a bit like a long nap that makes the body needless to go back to sleep afterwards.

The author stated that the content we watch also has an effect on the quality of sleep, and according to Vanessa Soleimani, “Watching thriller or horror films generates very intense feelings, and promotes the secretion of adrenaline and cortisol, which have a stimulant effect, which affects the quality of sleep, and for this reason you should not sleep while you are Also angry. "

Mark Ray stated that "during studies of patients' sleep during the health crisis, the effect of worrying news was noticeable on sleep quality."

In order to sleep easily and well, Ray stressed the need to feel safe.

Watching thriller or horror movies promotes adrenaline and cortisol, which have a stimulant effect (Getty Images)

Focus on relaxing activities

It is a good idea to avoid screen exposure before bed, especially for insomniacs.

Vanessa Slimani asserts that "the brain should consider the bed as a place designated for sleeping only."

To prepare your mind for bedtime, it is recommended that you avoid using digital devices one hour before bed.

During this hour, relax and focus on relaxing activities and enhance the warm lighting environment through the yellow-orange lights.

Mark Ray recommends, "Reducing sensory stimulation so that we can fall asleep. In this case, reading or listening to music is a calming activity, unlike screens that stimulate several senses and wake the body."