Light has been shown to have major influences on health. As we advance in science it may be shown to be even more crucial than we think to receive adequate amount of sunlight and limit artificial blue light (especially at night).
Artificial blue light is present in any light that was made by humans. Before artificial light humans generally slept and rose when the sun did. With the invention of artificial light we have influenced our sleep/waking patterns. The problem is that humans have a natural circadian rhythm that regulates our physiology, and when we mess with our circadian rhythm, our physiology suffers. The right light can be crucial in reclaiming your physiology.
Here are some correlations with too much artificial blue light at night:
- Poor sleep
- Increased blood sugar
- Decreased leptin (hormone that signals you are full)
- Decreased melatonin (hormone important for sleep/wakefulness, blood pressure regulation)
- Increased risk of cancer
What you can do:
- Use dim red lights for night lights
- Set your phone settings to block blue light at a certain time or all the time. Most phones have this preset in their setting options, if not you can download a blue light blocking app.
- Set your computer to do the same – F.lux is an app that will do that for you
- Expose yourself to the sun on a daily basis – early morning light especially.
- If you have to work at night consider buying blue light blocking glasses
Written by Mac Brooks
Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side
