Do eye masks help you sleep better?

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• Mar 29, 2023 | Kabir Chakraborty

Eye masks are useful instruments for blocking out any artificial light that may interfere with your sleep because it influences melatonin production.

Digital Desk: Sleep is one of the most vital activities for keeping your body healthy. Most diseases, according to experts, can be avoided if a person gets enough sleep on a regular basis.

Making sure your room is dark enough is critical to having a good night's sleep. Artificial lighting makes it difficult to sleep by decreasing the generation of melatonin, which aids in sleep. Melatonin is a hormone generated in the brain that governs the body's sleep-wake cycle.

"Artificial light may make it more difficult to sleep by decreasing Melatonin, our body's natural sleep planner. Sleeping properly improves good mental health and overall well-being and helps to build mental resilience "P&G Health Group Head Scientist, Medical & Technical Affairs, Dr. YongChiat Wong, stated.

Benefits of wearing an eye mask while sleeping

• According to a Sleep Journal study, shutting out ambient light while sleeping can increase alertness and memory the next day. Eye masks are useful instruments for blocking out any artificial light that may interfere with your sleep because it influences melatonin production.

• Another study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2010 found that wearing a sleep mask allowed patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) who were frequently distracted by light and noise to spend more time in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.

• Eye masks can also be used to soothe the face and eyes. Most eye masks on the market have a soft texture with cushioning that provides individuals a peaceful sense. In addition to filtering out light, eye masks may have a relaxing impact on the eyes, allowing you to sleep faster.

Dr. Wong, on the other hand, claims that while an eye mask can help you sleep better, it is not useful for sleeping problems caused by other circumstances.

"Other variables such as ageing, inconsistent sleep schedules due to work or travel also alter our body's melatonin levels, causing a restriction in quality sleep," Dr Wong explained.

Dr. Wong stated that in these circumstances, using melatonin-containing sleep supplements close to bedtime can help reinforce external practises that help our total sleep cycle.