Associations between habitual light exposure-related behaviors and sleep timing and sleep complaints in an international community sample

Sci Rep. 2026 Jun 23;16(1):19524. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-58842-y.

ABSTRACT

Sleep is essential for health and light is an important environmental signal influencing its timing, quality, and regulation. Retinal light exposure reflects the interplay between environmental illumination and behavioral choices, yet it remains unclear which habitual light exposure-related behaviors meaningfully impact sleep outcomes. In this preregistered secondary data analysis, we examined associations between these behaviors, sleep timing, and sleep complaints in a large, international community sample (N = 775, M_age = 32.6 ± 14.6 years). Participants completed the Light Exposure Behavior Assessment (LEBA), with four behavioral domains included in the analyses. Sleep timing, sleep disturbances and sleep-related daytime impairment were measured using established questionnaires. Bayesian analyses indicated that time spent outdoors and device use in bed were most strongly associated with sleep outcomes. Greater time outdoors was linked to earlier sleep timing and fewer sleep complaints, whereas more frequent device use in bed was associated with greater sleep disturbance and daytime impairment. Morning and daytime lighting practices and evening light control showed no conclusive evidence. Together, these findings highlight the relevance of everyday light exposure-related behaviors for sleep and support behavioral approaches to promoting healthy sleep in real-world contexts.

PMID:42337017 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-58842-y