Electronic back-lit devices like cell phones, tablets, readers, and computers emit short-wavelength enriched light, also known as blue light. Fluorescent and LED lights also emit blue light, which has been shown to reduce or delay the natural production of melatonin in the evening and decrease feelings of sleepiness. Blue light can also reduce the amount of time you spend in slow-wave and rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep, two stages of the sleep cycle that are vital for cognitive functioning.
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Unlike blue light, red, yellow, and orange light have little to no effect on your circadian rhythm. Dim light with one of these colors is considered optimal for nighttime reading. Portable e-readers like the Kindle and Nook emit blue light, but not to the same extent as other electronic devices. If you prefer to use an e-reader such as a Kindle or Nook, dim the display as much as possible.
—sleepfoundation.org
I don’t hesitate to use my devices before bedtime, but I always have them in night mode so the light is towards the red end of the spectrum. And since we use LED lights in the apartment, I wear blue-blocking lenses for an hour or so before I go to bed, just in case. It’s easy for me to do.
But I also agree with this Drabble cartoon, one size doesn’t fit all.
Do you agree with the article, think blue light affects you around bedtime?
November 9, 2023
That cartoon is SO Tom!
Come 9-10p I don’t think the blue light affects me, but I’d be willing to give this a try and see.
🙂
I do agree, because I have read about it so much from so many sources. But I still don’t let it affect when I use my devices. Although I did NOT know about the REM stage, that’s wild!
One size doesn’t fit all. 🙂
Well, I do use my phone and tablet late in the evening but I never have any problem falling asleep. According to my fitness tracker I always get way less deep sleep than I do light sleep but I don’t really know how accurate that is.
If you seem to sleep fine there’s no reason to change what you’re doing.
I tried those blue light blocking glasses. They turned everything such a bright orange I couldn’t stand it. Those glasses went back. So, I look at electronic devices until my eyes say it’s time to go to sleep then I do that.
If it works, no reason to change what you’re doing. 🙂
I do try to put down my phone mid evening just to give my eyes a rest.
I have trouble with eye strain so take rests during the day too.
never thought about it – however I’ve my phone set to “sleep mode” and mostly it stays in the zone until I need it in the morning…I still like my laptop but I mostly use my phone…
🙂