A new scientific study published in the journal Sleep shows several benefits of using a sleeping mask.
The study found that using a sleep mask makes us more alert during the day and facilitates the learning of new information the next day.
Of course, this can be achieved without a sleeping mask, but then you need blackout curtains or no light sources that seep into the room.
A mask becomes an easy way to block out all light. And a simple way to improve your sleep quality.
The following is the study's statement of significance:
“Sleep is crucial for alertness and for preparing the human brain to encode new information. However, it can be disrupted by external stimuli such as light or sounds. This study explored wearing an eye mask as a potential cognitive enhancer which protects overnight sleep by blocking ambient light. We found that wearing a mask increased alertness and facilitated the encoding of novel information the next day. Furthermore, the benefit to memory was predicted by time spent in slow-wave sleep while wearing the mask. This suggests wearing an eye mask during sleep is an effective, economical, and noninvasive behavior that could benefit cognitive function and lead to measurable impacts on everyday life”