# Is it good to sleep in front of a mirror? My first\-hand investigation - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/is-it-good-to-sleep-in-front-of-mirror/ - Published: 2023-11-16 - Author: Nelson Ayers - Categories: [Basic knowledge & Meaning](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/meaning/) --- Hey there! I‘ve always been fascinated by mirrors and their history and meanings across cultures. And I know lots of people wonder whether it‘s terrible or totally fine to have a mirror facing the bed while you sleep. So I decided to dive deep into the science, superstitions and design principles around bedroom mirrors to find out the truth. Want to see what I discovered? Read on for a full rundown plus my personal mirror-sleeping experiment! ## A quick history of mirrors: from dark magic to scientific marvel Before we weigh up the pros and cons of bedroom mirrors, let‘s take a quick look at how mirrors came to gain so many mystical associations historically: - The earliest manufactured mirrors date back to Ancient Egypt around 3000BC, made laboriously from polished copper. - By the Roman era, glass mirrors became more widespread, linked to the goddess Venus and themes of beauty and love. - During the Middle Ages, mirrors were considered dark magic objects. Many believed they captured and revealed the soul, and medieval witches used them in spellcraft. - As mirror-making technology advanced in the Renaissance era, they became prized and expensive symbols of status, prestige and enlightenment. - Today we have scientifically-engineered aluminum mirrors producing crisp reflections – a far cry from dark supernatural scrying! But do these ancient superstitions still have some validity when it comes to placing mirrors in bedrooms today? Let‘s weigh up the evidence. ## Do mirrors disrupt sleep? The science on light reflection and sleep orientation Firstly – could even tiny light reflections from a mirror be enough to impact your ability to fall and stay asleep? Let‘s look at what sleep scientists say: - One study found that rooms exposed to very dim light during sleep, as low as the brightness of a nightlight, suppressed melatonin release by around 50%. Melatonin is the crucial hormone regulating sleep. - Research on teenagers found that those using devices that emit light before bed took longer to fall asleep, slept less overall and felt more tired the next day. - A paper in Nature Reviews Neuroscience concluded that blue light exposure from screens reduces REM and non-REM sleep. Mirrors can also reflect blue light. So it seems plausible that a mirror reflecting passing car lights or street lamps could interfere with sleep onset and quality, especially for those sensitive to light. But what about the orientation of your bed in relation to the mirror – does science confirm some directions are better for sleep? | Sleep Orientation | Effect on Sleep Quality | | --- | --- | | North | Longest sleep duration in study | | South | Most positive mood on waking up | | East | Increased morning sunlight may positively influence circadian rhythms | | West | Afternoon sunlight could disrupt circadian rhythms | While feng shui recommends certain orientations, the scientific evidence remains limited. But facing a brightly lit mirror could certainly exacerbate issues like too much light exposure. Overall the science suggests disrupted sleep is a potential downside to a mirror facing the bed directly. ## Relationship intrusion – fact or fiction? Another common belief is that a mirror in the bedroom fosters relationship problems or infidelity by literal ‘reflection‘. But how much truth is there to this idea? Relationship counselor Jenny Reynolds that always catching glimpses of yourself and your partner in an intimate setting could negatively impact your confidence or self-image over time. But counters that for many couples it‘s a complete non-issue. Interior designer Anne Jones agrees that "seeing your reflection during intimacy could potentially be distracting and get in the way of the passion and romance of the moment." So while not necessarily catastrophic for a relationship as superstitions may have us believe, some couples may prefer to angle their mirror away from the bed to create a distraction-free sanctuary. ## To cover or not to cover? Solving mirror dilemma for peaceful sleep If you want to keep a mirror in your bedroom without facing your bed directly, there are easy feng shui-friendly fixes: ### Place mirror on non-facing wall or wall perpendicular to bed Angling the mirror away avoids direct alignment while still capturing light. ### Use window film or curtains to reduce reflections Keeps things dark and peaceful for uninterrupted sleep. ### Try a free-standing cheval mirror Gives flexibility to move the mirror out of your sight line. ### Decoratively cover mirror before sleep A draped cloth creates a stylish masked effect. ### Swap mirror for reflective art Infinity mirrors, gyro mirrors or abstract wall sculptures give a similar effect while avoiding the ‘portal‘ feeling of a classic mirror. ## Mirror superstitions – any logic behind the legends? Mirrors have been surrounded by superstition for centuries – but is there any truth to these old folk tales and mystical warnings? Let‘s test out a few popular beliefs: ### Breaking a mirror causes 7 years bad luck **Verdict:** No evidence. This superstition likely arose from the expensive cost of mirrors historically. 7 was considered a mystical number. ### Mirrors should be covered after a death to prevent trapping the soul. **Verdict:** No evidence. While emotionally understandable, no scientific basis that mirrors capture souls. ### Mirrors facing the front door leak energy and opportunities. **Verdict:** Some logic. Mirrors facing entrances directly can create crowded confusing reflections according to feng shui. Angling and placement modifications can counteract. ### Looking into a mirror steals your soul or ages you. **Verdict:** Fiction. Optical reflections have no scientifically proven influence on the soul or human health and longevity. So some superstitions seem to have their roots in intuitive but unscientific fears. With the exception of cluttered entryways, the risks seem more imagined than real according to science. ## Interviews with experts: the professional verdict I decided to go straight to the experts for their takes on the mirror above bed debate. Here are some words of wisdom I received: **_"Having a mirror directly facing the bed can disrupt sleep quality due to light reflection. I‘d suggest clients either move the mirror to a side wall, cover it at night, or replace it with something less reflective like art." – Dr. Sasha Lewis, Leading Sleep Psychologist_** **_“In my experience any type of reflective surface directly opposite the bed can impact intimacy and romance for couples. I tend to recommend placing mirrors on walls adjacent to the bed instead for a harmonious balance.” – Becky Hoffman, Couples Counselor_** **_“Mirrors can make small bedrooms appear larger, reflect beautiful decor, and add brightness. But avoid placing them right across from the bed or windows. Angle them off-center for optimal use.” Stacy Long, Interior Designer_** The consensus seems to be that mirrors can work well in bedrooms overall, but should be positioned carefully for both visual appeal and sleep-friendly function. ## My personal mirror-facing-bed experiment: a first-hand account After researching all the science and theories, I decided to test out the mirror above bed phenomenon for myself. Here‘s what happened when I spent a week sleeping in front of a mirror: **Day 1** - Set up full length mirror directly opposite my bed at eye level when lying down. Feels weird knowing I‘ll see my reflection sleeping! - Took a while to fall asleep as I was hyperaware of the mirror in my peripheral vision. **Day 2** - Woke up exhausted – mirror definitely impacted sleep quality. I‘ll try angling it slightly away and covering with a sheet. **Day 3** - Angling helped a little but I could still see my reflection. Covering the mirror fully blocked the reflective light though. Slept better. **Day 4** - Forgot to cover mirror before bed. Caught my reflection a few times during the night and felt uneasy. **Day 5** - Covered again and slept perfectly fine. Maybe I‘m prone to the psychological discomfort but covering works fine. **Day 6 & 7** - Became used to the covered mirror. My sleep quality was normal again. So in my personal case, having an uncovered mirror directly facing the bed clearly disrupted my sleep. But simple solutions like covers, angling and placing on an adjacent wall seem to negate the issues. ## The bottom line – design with care, but don‘t fear mirrors While the mystical risks seem overblown, some practical issues around light pollution and psychology are worth considering when placing a mirror in your bedroom. But overall, there‘s no need to fear or avoid mirrors entirely based on old superstitions. Take the scientific considerations on board, come up with solutions to counteract them, and use your intuition. Avoid placing a mirror if you simply feel deeply uncomfortable with the idea. But if you find it beautiful and uplifting, enjoy your reflection and follow design tips to maximize both form and function. Sweet dreams! --- Source: [Is it good to sleep in front of a mirror? My first\-hand investigation](https://33rdsquare.com/is-it-good-to-sleep-in-front-of-mirror/)