You Will Not Believe What Shares Your Bed When You Sleep at Night
For many people, bedtime is the best part of the day. It is when you can rest and get ready for tomorrow. Experts say it is important to make your bedroom comfortable and peaceful. But did you know you are never really alone when you sleep? While you are fast asleep, tiny creatures called mites are crawling on your face and body! Don’t worry, you cannot see or feel them. They are called demodex mites, and they are very, very small.
Little Mites on Your Face
These tiny mites have eight legs. They live around your hair and inside your pores. They eat the oily stuff that comes from your skin. Professor Alejandra Perotti from the University of Reading in the UK explains what they do: "While we are sleeping, they come out and are very happy, mating, visiting relatives, walking on our faces. The moment we wake up, they go back inside the pore." That might sound strange or even a little gross, but these mites are not dangerous for most people. In fact, they actually help keep your skin clean by eating gunk from your pores!
Why Mites Like Your Skin
These mites have lived with humans for a very long time. They are so tiny that you cannot see them without a microscope. They are able to live on our skin because they can resist the sun's rays, which might hurt them otherwise. The human body gives them melatonin, a hormone that helps us sleep. For the mites, melatonin is like a yummy snack that helps them live and grow. Most of the time, these mites do not cause problems. But sometimes, if there are too many, they can make your skin itchy or red.
How Pets Can Bring More Mites
Dr. Dan Friederich is a doctor who knows a lot about eye health. He says he can sometimes tell if a person sleeps with their pet, just by looking at their eyelashes! He explains: "There is a common mite called Demodex that we see in the eyelashes that is a parasite. And the minute I see it in someone's eyes, the first question I ask is, 'do you sleep with your dog at night?'" He also gives some advice: "Don't sleep with your animals if you can help it." Letting pets sleep in your bed can mean more mites on your face and eyes.
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Why Do You See Colors When Your Eyes Are Closed?
Sometimes, when you close your eyes to go to sleep, you might see bright colors or swirling patterns. It can look like a rainbow, zig-zags, or even a kaleidoscope. Many people wonder why this happens. Some even talk about it online. One person wrote: "Do u guys also have that weird thing where u can see colorful patterns when u have your eyes closed pls tell me someone knows what im saying." Another replied: "YES ITS SO DISTRACTING WHEN IM TRYNA SLEEP." Someone else said: "Yes!! It's like a kaleidoscope."
Seeing Patterns in the Dark
Professor Katrina Schmid from Queensland University of Technology says this is totally normal. She wrote an article to explain why. She says there are a few reasons you might see colors with your eyes closed. If you close your eyes in a bright room or outside in the sun, some light still gets through your eyelids. That is why you might see a dark red color. Your eyelids have lots of tiny blood vessels, and the light goes through them.
But, when you close your eyes in a dark room, something special happens. You might start to see swirls, dots, or waves of color. The professor says this happens to her, too! First, she sees dots and sparkles, then swirling colored dots the longer she keeps her eyes closed.
Phosphenes: The Light Show in Your Eyes
The patterns and colors you see are called phosphenes. These are not real lights, but your eyes and brain make you think there is light. Professor Schmid explains: "Our eyes don’t turn off in the dark, but instead they create very weak internal signals that mimic light. These signals are constantly being made by the cells at the back of your eyes." The colored shapes are made by changes in these cells. Your brain thinks you are seeing light, but it is just an illusion!
Most of the time, these colors and shapes are nothing to worry about. But if you notice they are very bright or last a long time, it is a good idea to tell an eye doctor.
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Waking Up Right Before Your Alarm
Have you ever woken up a few minutes before your alarm clock rings? This happens to a lot of people. It can be annoying because you might want just a little more sleep! But there is a scientific reason for this.
Your body has an internal clock that helps you know when to sleep and when to wake up. There is a protein called PER that works with your sleep-wake cycle. This protein is highest in the evening and lowest at night. When PER is low, you feel sleepy and your heart beats slower. This helps you fall asleep.
How Your Body Prepares to Wake Up
About an hour before you usually wake up, your PER protein starts to rise. Your blood pressure and body temperature go up too. This makes your sleep lighter and helps your body get ready to wake up. Your body also releases stress hormones to help you be alert in the morning. This is why you often wake up just before your alarm rings, instead of being shocked awake in deep sleep.
Experts Say: Do Not Hit Snooze!
Some people like to hit the snooze button to get a few more minutes of sleep. But many sleep experts say this is not a good idea. Nurse Jordan explains in a TikTok video: "Waking to multiple alarms every morning really disrupts your REM cycle frequently." REM sleep is the part of sleep where you dream. If you wake up again and again, it can make you feel tired, grumpy, and stressed. "Every time your alarm goes off, you're in that fight or flight response, so waking up like that multiple times in the morning is very stressful." So, it is best to get up as soon as your alarm rings!
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How Often Should You Wash Your Bed Sheets?
Changing your bed sheets is not the most fun job, but it is very important for good health. Martin Seeley, a sleep expert, says that if you do not wash your sheets, they can start to collect a lot of dust mites. "Further studies show that the average bedding harbours around 20,000 dust mites which can be triggering for those that suffer from allergies," he says.
Keeping Your Bed Clean
Martin recommends washing your sheets at least once a week. "Given that 80 percent of dust mites are made up of your dead skin, which you naturally produce more of overnight, you should be washing your bedding at least once a week," he adds. If you do not wash your sheets often, dust mites can build up. This can cause stuffy noses, sneezing, and other problems for people with allergies.
Some studies have found that dirty sheets can also have bacteria that cause skin infections, acne, or even pneumonia. One study found E. coli on unwashed hospital sheets. Dr. Manal Mohammed says: "People carry bacteria as part of their skin microbiome and can shed them in large numbers." Most of the time, these bacteria are not harmful, but if they get into a cut, they can cause illness.
How Often Should You Wash Pillows and Duvets?
According to WebMD, pillows should be washed at least twice a year, or even four times a year if you have pets or eat in bed. Pillows should be replaced every one to two years. Dr. Almudena Nuño warns: "Over time, they accumulate traces of sweat, sebum and dead skin cells, as well as microorganisms like bacteria and dust mites, which is why they should be washed, not just the pillowcases. Proper hygiene helps prevent skin problems and allergic reactions." Duvets should be washed once or twice a year, and you can usually do this in a washing machine.
Why Your Sleep Schedule Matters for Your Mood
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A team of researchers from Stanford University studied nearly 75,000 adults in the UK. They wanted to find out if going to bed early or late made a difference to mental health. They asked people if they liked to stay up late or wake up early. The adults wore special devices to track their sleep for a whole week. The scientists then looked at their sleep habits and compared them to their mental health.
Going to Bed Too Late Can Affect Your Feelings
The study found that people who went to bed late—no matter if they liked mornings or evenings—had more mental health problems. They were more likely to feel sad, worried, or stressed. Stanford Medicine reported: "When the researchers analyzed the data, they were surprised to find that aligning with one's chronotype was not the best choice for everyone's mental health. It was better, in fact, for night owls to lead a misaligned life. The results were clear - both morning types and evening types who went to sleep late had higher rates of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety."
Why Going to Bed Early Is Best
The researchers suggest turning out the lights and trying to sleep by 1am at the latest. Professor Jamie Zeitzer explains: "We found that alignment with your chronotype is not crucial here, and that really it's being up late that is not good for your mental health." People who went to bed late were 20 to 40 percent more likely to have a mental health condition. Those who got up early in the morning had the best mental health.
Nobody knows exactly why staying up late is worse for your mind. Professor Zeitzer thinks it might be because late-night people make more bad decisions, or because there are more chances to use alcohol or drugs late at night. If you naturally like to stay up late, try to go to bed a little earlier each night until you can wake up with the sun.
How to Get Better Sleep and Stay Healthy
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It is important to have a clean bed, a good bedtime routine, and enough sleep. Try not to sleep with pets in your bed, because they can bring more mites and dirt. Change your sheets every week and wash your pillow and duvet regularly. If you keep seeing strange colors with your eyes closed for a long time, talk to your eye doctor.
Your body has an amazing clock that helps you wake up in the morning. Try not to hit snooze too many times. Going to bed earlier can help your mind and body feel better. Listen to the experts and make small changes to get the healthiest, happiest sleep possible!
Fun Sleep and Health Facts
- You have thousands of tiny mites living on your skin, but they help keep your pores clean.
- Seeing colors when your eyes are closed is normal and is called phosphenes.
- Your body can wake up before your alarm because of special proteins and hormones.
- Washing your sheets every week keeps away dust mites and bacteria.
- Going to bed too late can make you feel sad or worried.
- Clean pillows and duvets mean cleaner skin and fewer allergies.
Simple Steps for a Healthy Bedtime
1. Make your bedroom dark and quiet.
2. Try to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
3. Change and wash your bed sheets every week.
4. Wash your pillows and duvet at least a couple of times a year.
5. Do not sleep with pets in your bed.
6. If you see bright colors with your eyes closed, it is normal, but see a doctor if they last a long time.
7. Turn off screens before bed to help your body get ready for sleep.
8. Get up when your alarm rings, instead of hitting snooze.
Why These Steps Matter
Taking care of your sleep and your bed helps your body and mind. You will have more energy, better moods, and less chance of getting sick. Experts like Professor Perotti, Dr. Friederich, Professor Schmid, Martin Seeley, Dr. Manal Mohammed, Dr. Almudena Nuño, and Professor Zeitzer all agree that small changes can make a big difference. Remember, everyone has tiny helpers living on their skin, and your body is smart enough to wake up on its own!
By following these easy tips and listening to your body, you can have sweet dreams and wake up ready to enjoy each new day. Keep your bed clean, sleep at the right time, and take care of yourself for a healthy and happy life!
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