Boo! Did I scare you? No? Well, maybe if I turn off the lights first...  

As the spooky season descends like darkness upon us, you might find yourself running out to haunted houses or horror movie screenings. Whether or not intentionally terrifying yourself is your vibe, everyone is afraid of something. Today, we’re looking at one of the most primal and widespread fears that humans experience—the fear of the dark.  

Human Nature and Fear 

First things first—the fear of the dark has an official, fancy-pants name: nyctophobia. It comes from the Greek words "nyktos" (night) and "phobos" (fear). So next time someone teases you about being afraid of the dark, you can impress them with your vocabulary and say, "Excuse me, I have nyctophobia." You might still look like a scaredy cat, but at least you’ll seem smart. 

 “There’s nothing to be afraid of in the dark” is probably a phrase you heard at some point during your childhood. And for the most part, it’s true! There (probably) wasn’t a creature under the bed or a monster in the closet. Here's the thing though—being wary of the dark is actually pretty normal and even evolutionarily adaptive. 

Our ancient ancestors had good reason to be cautious when the sun went down. Nighttime meant reduced visibility and increased vulnerability to predators and other dangers lurking in the shadows. Those early humans who exercised a bit of caution after dark were more likely to survive and pass on their genes. 

Our team here at Sunco is in the business of lighting up dark corners so I had to wonder—how afraid of the dark are our customers and which of our products is best suited for nyctophobes? 

Afraid of the Dark? Join the Club! 

If you get a bit jumpy when the lights go out, you're in good company. Studies have found that nearly 50% of adults admit to being afraid of the dark to some degree. That's right - almost half of grown-ups still get the heebie-jeebies when things go bump in the night. The fear tends to be even more prevalent in children. Up to 73% of kids between ages 3-12 report being afraid of the dark at some point. For most, it's a normal developmental phase that they eventually outgrow. But for some, the fear can persist into adulthood and become more intense.  

How Can We Overcome This Fear? 

The fear of darkness is one of the most common phobias, alongside fears of heights, spiders, and public speaking. Most adults will even recognize that some part of their fear is irrational, but they still can’t help themselves. If the thought of trick-or-treating after sunset has you breaking out in a cold sweat, hear me out—there are plenty of strategies people use to cope with and overcome their fear of the dark. 

• Gradual exposure therapy: Slowly acclimating to darker environments can help desensitize you over time. Start with a dimly lit room and work your way up to total darkness.  
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: This can help you identify and challenge irrational thoughts associated with darkness. 
• Relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can calm anxiety when it's dark.  
• Nightlights and bedside lamps: There's no shame in keeping a small light on if it helps you feel more secure.  
• Establishing bedtime routines: Having a consistent, calming pre-sleep ritual can make nighttime less stressful.  
• Addressing underlying anxieties: Sometimes fear of the dark is a symptom of broader anxiety issues that may benefit from professional help.  
• Embracing the dark: Some people find that learning to appreciate darkness through stargazing or night photography helps them overcome their fear.  

Using Nightlights as an Adult 

Not all nightlights are those plug-in Winnie the Pooh lights that we remember from childhood. As we’ve grown into adulthood, our nightlights have actually aged with us, which is super unfortunate for me because I would love to have a cute little night light plugged into my wall. 

But for those of you who are looking for something a little classier, Sunco has recently launched a line of recessed lights that have a built in night light feature. These halo-like fixtures fit directly into the ceiling and are dimmable down to 10%, making them versatile. This means that you can still use their ambient light, even if you're only a little afraid of the dark. 

Plus, they are really great at minimizing something even spookier than the dark—a high electric bill.  

Do Nightlights Really Help? 

The short answer? Yes! But the much longer answer is that there was once a study done by the Turner Institute Medical Research Council about how exposure to ambient light is really good for the human body.  

Some researchers tried to argue that sleeping with nightlights could potentially disrupt our body’s circadian rhythm, but this study showed that not only did people with an intense fear of the dark sleep better with nightlights, but they also saw an improvement in their overall mental health.  

Throughout the study, researchers slowly dimmed the light emitted from the nightlight over the course of two weeks until it was barely a feint glow. By the end of the study, only 10% of the subjects noticed or complained about a difference. 

“It doesn’t hurt anyone to use a nightlight,” lead researcher, Dr. Elise M. McGlashan noted. “In fact, fear of the dark is basically hardwired into our brains and is one of the only phobias that I’d recommend against trying to overcome (unless of course it’s debilitating). It’s natural to be warry of things that go bump in the night so to speak and keeps us safe more often than not. So, in my professional opinion, use the nightlight.” 

Face your Fears 

At the end of the day (or night), a healthy respect for darkness is normal and even beneficial. But if your fear is interfering with your daily life or enjoyment of this beloved spooky season, it might be worth addressing. You might just find that the things that go bump in the night aren't so scary after all. And if all else fails, there's always our trusty nightlight.