How to Manage Blue Light Exposure and Protect Your Circadian Rhythm
In today's world, where we're surrounded by screens and artificial lighting, it’s easy to overlook how profoundly light affects our health. Research shows that improper lighting—both during the day and at night—can throw off our circadian rhythm, disrupt our sleep patterns, and even affect our metabolic health. Reviewing lighting in the house after sundown can be a key component to maintaining good health, but it goes beyond just your eyes.
Our circadian rhythm is the body’s natural 24-hour cycle that regulates everything from sleep and wakefulness to digestion and hormone production. Light plays a major role in syncing this internal clock, and blue light, in particular, is a key player. It’s abundant during the day, helping keep us alert, but exposure to blue light at the wrong times—especially after sundown can lead to trouble.
Whether it’s from late-night screen time, bright overhead LED lighting, or even our phones, blue light in the evening tricks our brain into thinking it’s still daytime. This leads to lower melatonin production, the hormone responsible for sleep, and can result in poor sleep quality, trouble falling asleep, and a disrupted circadian rhythm.
While we often think of blue light as something we need to block from our eyes, science shows that the receptors in our skin are also sensitive to light exposure. If your skin is exposed to artificial blue and green light at night—whether from your phone, computer, or indoor lighting—it can also affect your circadian rhythm, compounding the effects of light exposure on your sleep and overall well-being.
This is where taking proactive steps can make a big difference. Reducing blue light exposure after dark can help you sleep better, feel more rested, and keep your circadian rhythms in check.
Some practical tips to reduce blue light exposure at night include:
Limit bright light after sundown: Keep lighting low and soft in the evening, creating a calming environment that signals to your body that it's time to wind down.
Use blue-blocking glasses: These glasses are designed to filter out harmful blue light, protecting your eyes and allowing your brain to naturally transition into sleep mode.
Switch to amber or red lights: Consider swapping your standard light bulbs for amber or red-blue blocking bulbs in high-use areas like the living room or bedroom. These light options are less stimulating and more conducive to rest.
This is where our friends at Block Blue Light light come in - you can rest easy knowing that your eyes and skin is fully protected from circadian-disrupting artificial light at night with some of the options they have for night time lighting. With the right tools, you can change your light exposure after sundown and support your natural circadian rhythms, ensuring better sleep, better health, and a more balanced life.