It’s a pretty normal night time routine to get into bed and plug your phone into your charger. Or maybe you fall asleep with the TV on? Well a new science report published in the Journal of Pineal Research suggests that you’d be better switching off any artificial light screens of phones, tablets, televisions and laptops before you go to sleep if you want to lose weight. Scientists in Spain have found that the artificial light emitted from the screens can inhibit the production of a hormone that combats obesity. The study found that those who slept with a buzzing monitor or light emitting screen found their production of the hormone melatonin will be disrupted. Melatonin regulates sleep patterns and boosts metabolism. When this was disrupted the study found there was a slowing down of metabolism, making the case studies susceptible to weight gain. Professor Ahmad Agil, who led the study, told the Independent: “For instance, many people are in the habit of sleeping with their lamps, televisions or their computers switched on, or with the blinds drawn up. "For all these reasons, it is important to try to sleep in absolute darkness, to avoid interference in the generation of melatonin.”