Sometimes we need a bit of background noise or the comfort of our favourite TV show to fall asleep to.
However, whilst you may feel you sleep better with the TV on, it's actually not good news for your health or your wallet.
Firstly, leaving your TV on all night means it's using up electricity. And this means it increases your energy bill.
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If you know the wattage of your TV and the amount you pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to your electric company, you can calculate your monthly energy costs based on the hours you sleep with the TV on.
To find your TV's wattage, you can look at the back of your TV or possibly check for an Energy Star Rating sticker. Alternatively, you can look for your TV model online and check the wattage there.
Using a simple equation like this can help you calculate how much you roughly pay each month:
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[(Wattage of your TV x Hours spent sleeping) ÷ 1000] x (Days per month you sleep with it on) x (Cost per kWh)
Additionally, leaving on your TV whilst you sleep can negatively impact your sleep quality and overall health.
There's an abundance of research out there that evidently shows how bad digital screens are for our sleep cycles and biological rhythms.
According to The Sleep Foundation, artificial blue light, similar to that emitted from our smartphones, can disrupt your circadian rhythms.
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Another study by Canadian researchers suggests that TV screens can also reduce melatonin production, the hormone that induces sleep, making it harder to fall and stay asleep.
When you're asleep, the flickering of the TV screen may reduce REM sleep, which is important for memory consolidation.
Poor sleep can cause a whole world of problems including high blood pressure, obesity, and depression.
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Finally, leaving the TV on all night can shorten the lifespan of your device.
This wasn't so much a problem back in the day with bulky, square TVs.
But now with Smart TVs becoming widespread and more affordable, manufacturers sometimes cut corners to keep those prices low.
The problem is these Smart TVs have a weak heat dispersion which means they can heat up when left on for a long time which can, over time, damage their internal components and greatly reduce their working life.
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Many experts say it's a good idea to give your TV a breather every few hours to let it cool down.
Sometimes a little TV before bed is just what you need. Just make sure not to make a bad habit that could be damaging your health in the long run.