What colour light best aids with sleep?
When it comes to our health, sleep plays an important factor. Adults need between 7-8 hours of sleep every night to function properly, and lighting can play a key part in helping us achieve this.
Different lights can have various impacts and benefits on our health and sleeping arrangements. Within this blog, we will explore the benefits of sleeping with a night light and what colour best aids sleep.
For high-quality lighting, browse our LED products whilst you’re here. Each fixture is designed with efficiency and style in mind.
The science of light and sleep
The CLOCK and BMAL1 genes involved in the circadian rhythm interact in a complex feedback loop. This produces important proteins that regulate their own production in a 24-hour cycle.
If you often struggle to fall sleep, certain types of light can help regulate your circadian rythmn and make the process a lot easier. This allows you to achieve 7 hours of sleep everynight, leading to hormone release, digestion, healthy eating habits and body temperature regulation.
However, other types of light, such as blue light, can have the opposite effect.
Blue light and sleep disruption
Blue light has a short wavelength and high energy as it is part of the visible light spectrum. This is emitted from technology such as smartphones, laptops, and televisions.
The body’s internal clock is sensitive to blue light, which makes it harder to fall asleep after interacting with it. However, exposure to blue light during the day can help maintain a healthy circadian rythmn.
One of the most critical effects of blue light at night is the supression of melatonin production. Melatonin is secreted in response to darkness from the pineal gland, and it is needed to help the body wind down for sleep.
The benefits of red and warm colours for sleep
Red and warm colours have a longer wavelength than blue light and are lower in energy. This means that they have minimal effect on melatonin suppression, helping the body prepare for sleep.
The calm and soothing effect of this can help alleviate anxiety and stress, promoting relaxation. Red light has been suggested to be particulary beneficial for those with insomnia. This also does not affect the circadian rhythm.
To improve your sleeping habits, installing a red or warm light bulb in your bedroom can help you regulate your sleeping pattern and fall asleep easier. You could use coloured lampshades or purchase red LED strip lights to use during the evening hours.
Practical tips for a better sleep routine
To promote better sleep, limit your screen time to around 1 hour before bed. You could switch this habit out for reading, journaling, or practising relaxation.
Add red or warm lighting to your bedroom, as mentioned above, alongside task lighting. You could also invest in a dimmer to gradually reduce light exposure as you get ready for sleep.
If you rely on a night light, swap your cool bulb for one with a red or orange hue. To regulate the circadian rhythm, ensure that you get a few hours of natural sunlight in the morning. This will give your body a heads up to prepare itself for sleep once the sun starts to set.
Choose Light Supplier for your night lighting
At Light Supplier, we sell a range of LED lighting products to act as the perfect evening lighting for your bedroom.
Our colour changing LED lights are the perfect way to switch up the lighting in your room, whilst enjoying the benefits of red and warm lighting for rest and relaxation.
Browse our products today and enjoy a better nights sleep with us.