The Dangers of Blue Light at Night for Sleep
We live in a world surrounded by screens - phones, laptops, televisions, and other devices emit a type of light known as blue light.
While this light is great for keeping us alert and awake during the day, exposure to it at night can have serious consequences for our sleep. Blue light, which is also known as High Energy Visible (HEV) light, is a type of light that is emitted by digital screens. It has a wavelength that falls within the blue part of the visible light spectrum, hence the name.
The problem is that this light has a high level of intensity and can suppress the production of the hormone melatonin, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle.
Research has shown that exposure to blue light at night can significantly impact the quality of our sleep. It can cause us to take longer to fall asleep, have a less restful sleep, and wake up feeling more tired and groggy.
This is because blue light tricks our brain into thinking it's still daylight, which can interfere with the normal production of melatonin. As a result, our circadian rhythm, which controls our sleep-wake cycle, is disrupted, leading to sleep problems.
The dangers of blue light go beyond just impacting the quality of our sleep. Chronic exposure to blue light has been linked to a range of health problems, including disrupted circadian rhythms, increased stress levels, decreased immunity, and an increased risk of certain types of cancers.
In order to reduce the negative effects of blue light on our sleep, it's important to limit exposure to screens before bedtime. This means turning off your devices at least an hour before going to bed and avoiding screens altogether in the bedroom. Filling your room at night time with no blue light bulbs can also reduce exposure to blue light which is commonly found in traditional LED light bulbs.
Blue light is a double-edged sword. While it has its benefits during the day, it can be dangerous to our sleep and health when exposed at night. By taking simple steps to limit our exposure to blue light, we can ensure that we get the restful sleep that our bodies need to function at their best.