No More Light

Many of can’t seem to put down our electronic devices before bed. Today, we’re always answering that last text message, reading one more article, or simply scheduling out the next day. Or, if you somehow have managed to eschew computers and smartphones, maybe you’re still into cramming in some late night TV. But, though it may seem relaxing, your brain really hates you for it.

See, using electronics at night subjects you to greater exposures of short wavelength light, or “blue light”. These pesky luminous waves suppress the amount of melatonin your brain produces. And in case you didn’t know, that melatonin is essential for a good night’s rest, as it is the hormone that controls your sleep and wake cycles. Melatonin suppression is no laughing matter– chronic poor sleep has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and a host of cardiovascular issues.

That sleep is important, and that our screen addiction can contribute to poor rest, is not up for debate. But pretty much everything we do is done in front of a screen, so how can we do our bodies right without completely withdrawing from contemporary society?

No, the answer is not a complete, one-person overthrow of societal norms and expectations. Rather, you should be taking steps to reduce blue light in your nightlife. Blogger Chris Kesser recommends starting by downloading f.lux, an app that reduces the amount of blue light being emitted from your computer, phone, or tablet by adjusting the screen’s display to mimic the amount of sunlight outdoors. It does this automatically, too. During the day, you may have a fully bright screen, but as the night wears on, you will see your screen take on a darker tint. Once you use it, you’ll wonder how your eyes still functioned without the app!

While a great starting point, f.lux only works with screens. So how do we deal with the light emissions from lamps and light fixtures? For this, Kesser suggests picking up a pair of amber-lensed shades. They aren’t very expensive, so you can toss a pair on when the sun goes down, and filter out excess light when you’re in the home. It make take some time to get used to, but once you adapt, you’ll be able to carry on with any regular night time activities you in which you participate.

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