This week we want to look at the effects of blue light on our sleeping habits. Blue light can have a really negative affect on how well we are able to fall asleep as well as on the quality of sleep we experience during the night. Almost all screens emit a type of blue light and spending significant amounts of time looking at devices like your cell phone, computer screen, or television will inhibit your brain from producing the necessary hormones that allow your brain to prepare itself for sleep. Instead they act as a type of stimulant, encouraging your brain to stay active while it receives the blue light stimulation.
Understandably, it can become really difficult to fall asleep right after turning off your TV or putting away your phone. Most modern cell phones have a blue light filter that allows you to turn down the levels of blue light being transmitted in the evening should you need to use it. Instead of watching a screen right up to the point of retiring to bed it can be really helpful for you to eliminate or minimize the amount if screen time you get up to at least one hour or more leading up to your bedtime. A ‘No blue light an hour before bed’ policy lends itself to a more peaceful winding down and positions you for better sleep.
Another great idea to try is to fit warm yellow or orange light bulbs in your room as white led type bulbs can be also lead to difficulty in trying to switch off mentally at bedtime.
Getting good sleep is not about a single solution but rather about combining a variety of good ideas and helpful tips to achieve a more relaxed environment and state of mind before it comes to time for you to close your eyes and rest your body for the night.