NatNews

Darkness doesn’t have to be scary, especially in regard to one’s sleeping environment.

One study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine found that exposure to even small amounts of ambient light during the night can harm cardiovascular function while sleeping and increase insulin resistance the following morning. According to the study, exposure to moderate room lighting during one’s sleep can hinder glucose and cardiovascular regulation, which are risk factors for diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.

Additional research revealed that greater nighttime light exposure can lead to negative mental health impacts, potentially increasing the risk for conditions such as major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Sleeping in darkness, however, can improve one’s overall health, helping one’s body produce melatonin, stay aligned with its natural circadian rhythm, and promote higher-quality sleep.

Dallas resident Sally Sanchez said she sleeps in total darkness each night, a practice she began during her teenage years.

“I remember there was one night that I was struggling to fall asleep, so I grabbed an extra pillow and placed it over my eyes—and it worked,” she said. “I started doing that every night, and it made falling asleep so much easier.”

Sanchez said after that, she began using whatever was available to create a completely dark environment.

“I bought an eye mask, thinking that would work best, but it would slip off my head throughout the night, so I switched over to using a blanket,” she said. “I would arrange my blanket around my face and use it to cover my eyes but leave a hole in the middle so that I could breathe.”

And while she’s been able to make this an effective method to sleep better when she’s at home, Sanchez acknowledged that she sometimes faces difficulties when she’s not in her own bed.

“I remember spending the night at my best friend’s house, and I would have to search around her room for something to use,” she said. “I used a hoodie, a towel (it was clean), and whatever else I could find. I do the same when I travel. I currently have my trusty blanket that I use to cover my eyes, and my husband purchased thick curtains to provide even more darkness.”

Dallas-area resident Steven Gorena said he has been sleeping in total darkness for almost 20 years, ever since he met his wife. Prior to that, he slept with the television playing softly in the background and had become quite accustomed to falling asleep that way.

“When I moved in with my wife, there was no TV in the bedroom, so I naturally transitioned to sleeping without it,” he said. “Over time, I noticed that my sleep felt more productive and restful, and I found it easier to shut my mind off at the end of the day. It was a change that happened naturally, but once I experienced the difference, I never really wanted to go back.”

Gorena acknowledged that his approach to creating a dark atmosphere simply involves turning off the lights and eliminating as much other light as possible in the bedroom. However, he noted that he still prefers some consistent background noise.

“I usually have a fan or humidifier running to create white noise and drown out small sounds, like my dog moving around,” he said. “I’m a very light sleeper, so little noises can wake me up. I’ve found that combining darkness with consistent background noise helps create an environment where I can relax without being distracted by every little thing.”

Like many runners who opt to run before the sun rises in the morning, especially in warmer months, Gorena said an important part of his routine is being able to get to sleep early, even if it’s still light outside during the summer.

“I often need to get up early to run or work out, so having an environment that allows me to wind down and fall asleep on time is important,” he said.

Gorena added that having a completely dark room helps eliminate distractions and signals to him that it’s time to rest. He also noted that he believes that there is a mental component to creating a restful setting, and the lack of TV or screen keeping his attention allows him to disconnect and let his mind settle down for the day.

“I don’t feel like I need constant stimulation to fall asleep anymore,” he said. “For me, it’s about creating the right environment to get consistent quality rest. I’ve noticed that I feel more rested when I can fall asleep easily and stay asleep without unnecessary distractions.”

For Sanchez, who acknowledged that she suffers from anxiety, sleeping in total darkness can be a soothing experience.

“Some people use weighted blankets for comfort, but I’ve noticed that having a soft blanket scrunched up around my face and providing darkness calms me down,” she said. “I feel safe and so comfortable in my little cocoon. If someone is struggling to sleep, it might be worth trying an eye mask or blackout curtains.”

Sleep is an essential component of one’s overall well-being, and it’s also a necessary form of recovery for individuals who consistently work out and are looking to maintain or improve their fitness. And while Gorena said that recovery is equally as important as the training itself, he also believes that quality sleep can result in benefits beyond athletic performance.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much more intentional about sleep and how it affects my ability to train consistently and feel good day to day,” he said. “Ultimately, sleeping in complete darkness is one small but meaningful part of taking care of myself. When you’re trying to perform at your best, whether that’s running a marathon or simply getting through a busy day, good sleep makes a difference.

Concrete and cement are not the same thing—only 10 to 15 percent of concrete is cement; the rest is aggregates (gravel, sand, crushed stone), water, and chemical additives.

First impressions can serve as valuable assessments in multiple areas of life, including in the dating realm.

Recent data revealed that more than 350 million individuals worldwide use dating apps, while other options, such as Datey in Dallas, provide in-person opportunities for meeting potential matches. People also find partners in grocery stores, common interest groups, and several places that might create unexpected encounters. Regardless of how two people meet, there’s an occurrence that can be rather eye-opening and often determine if there’s a genuine interest: the first date.

While a first date won’t always be perfect, as nerves sometimes play a significant factor, there are some activities that might be considered better than others for that initial meeting. For Southern California resident Hannah Chapman, an ideal first date is contingent upon how she meets the individual.

“If it’s through the apps, I like a walk or coffee—short and sweet so that I can see the vibes,” she said. “If it’s someone I already know, I like dinner or an activity where we can still conversate.”

Like Chapman, an individual who wishes to remain anonymous said the preferred way to get to know someone on a first date depends on whether or not she is already familiar with the other person and prefers similar activities as those mentioned by Chapman.

“If it’s someone from a dating app, I like to keep it easy and on the shorter end (just in case),” she said. “So that’s usually coffee/drinks or walking—enough to get to know the person and see if we have things in common and good chemistry.”

Dallas-area resident Adrian Acevedo said he doesn’t think that there is necessarily an optimal first date and that the activity or setting more so depends upon what both people prefer or agree is the best option.

“I think most people choose to go to dinner or have coffee, so it’s really based on both people’s comfortability since it’s the first date,” he said. “Of course you want to make a good impression, so definitely pick a place where you can talk and can learn more about each other.”

Acevedo said first date activities to avoid include going to the movies and taking part in something that is only enjoyable for one of the parties.

“If one person doesn’t like to run, and you go run, they’re not going to like that,” he said. “So definitely pick something that both people would enjoy and where you can also chat and learn about one another.”

Like Acevedo, Chapman also noted that sitting in a dark theater watching a film is not the best way to spend time with someone on a first date.

“Going to the movies is a bad first date activity because how can you get to know that person?” she said.

Whether an enjoyable experience or not, that initial date can leave a lasting impression. The aforementioned anonymous source, who also thinks going to the movies for a first date is an unwise move, said her most memorable first date included an excursion to a dog park.

“He picked me up late, and he told me he ‘accidentally’ smoked weed before,” she said. “Then he proceeded to spill three beers on himself. There was no second date.”

The unnamed individual had another first date that remains in her memory when a guy told her that he was taking her to Las Palmas (a popular restaurant in Dallas), but he didn’t make a reservation, and they ended up going to Katy Trail Ice House, instead. She noted that it was a beautiful day outside, but he requested to sit inside.

“We sat down, and he commented that it was great that he could watch all three sporting event games that were on,” she said. “We weren’t really talking at all. So while he was answering the phone, I texted my friend, who ended up ‘accidentally’ crashing the date. (I should note that she had matched with him on a dating app before). Her boyfriend ended up showing up, too, so we made it a fun night. It ended with him getting way too drunk and then trying to jump over a gated apartment complex and almost falling in a ditch.”

There are also positive memorable first dates, of course, regardless of whether or not they lead to lasting relationships.

“In recent memory, I went out with a guy who planned lunch and asked intentional questions,” Chapman said. “We ended up going to a bar, watching the sunset, and then hanging out at my house for a bit. It was just a good overall experience, even though he turned out to be not that great.”

First dates are opportune times to become more familiar with people and their backgrounds and can sometimes even be filled with pleasant surprises. Acevedo said he fondly recalls taking someone he dated on a long-term basis to dinner, and when he thought they were about to go their separate ways after their meal, she created a plot twist that Acevedo truly appreciated. 

“She’s from Venezuela, so we went to a Venezuelan place and tried some churros and some tequeños (a traditional Venezuelan appetizer),” he said. “It was great because none of that was planned, and it felt spontaneous and fun. I really enjoyed that I got to learn more about her and her culture.”

Though Acevedo’s first date described above led to ensuing dates, that’s not always the case. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a first date to be a one-off meeting that results in two individuals not pursuing anything further with one another. For Chapman, a negative experience in the initial meeting will likely result in a permanent goodbye.

“A bad first date is a no-go for that person,” she said. “A mediocre date can be given a second chance.”

The anonymous source bases her willingness to give someone a second chance on what exactly made the first date bad. She said if it was because she and the other person had nothing in common, then the first date will be the only date.

“If it’s bad because of nerves or something else, then I’d go on a second one,” she said. “But generally, if I feel like we don’t vibe, I cut it off because I don’t see the point of wasting either of our time.”

Acevedo is also willing to consider circumstances and other factors when determining if a bad first date should cause him to write a person off.

“I would say it’s probably like 50-50—it kind of depends on how badly it went,” he said. “But I think people can give other people second chances. Sometimes we come into the first date when we’re dealing with a lot of stuff from work or family or personal issues, and maybe that’s why it wasn’t a good first date. In that case, you can talk to the person to see if it wasn’t a good date because of XYZ, so if you’re open and honest with that communication, then you can try again.

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

The rhyming football excursion recently returned

Monday, October 19: Free Halloween Movie Month — A Nightmare on Elm Street at Sundown at Granada
Tuesday, October 20: Stars vs. Bruins at the American Airlines Center; Free Halloween Movie Month — Hocus Pocus at Sundown at Granada; Movies in the Park — Hocus Pocus at Griggs Park
Wednesday, October 21: Mahjong Night at Champions Social Club
Thursday, October 22: Stars vs. Jets at the American Airlines Center; Cool Thursdays Concert Series — Taylor Swift tribute at the Dallas Arboretum; Dan + Shay at Dos Equis Pavilion
Friday, October 23: Chaotic Singles Halloween Party at HG Supply Co.
Saturday, October 24: WRRC Saturday run from Taco Joint; NatNews IT Department Appreciation Day; Mavs vs. Spurs at the American Airlines Center; Los Lonely Boys at Legacy Hall; Irving Taco Festival at the Plaza at Toyota Music Factory; Oktoberfest Dallas at Flag Pole Hill
Sunday, October 25: Stars vs. Islanders at the American Airlines Center; Candlelight — Tribute to Michael Jackson at Frontiers of Flight Museum; The Boho Market at Klyde Warren Park