Can't Sleep? Blame Your Computer!

If you have difficulty getting a good night's sleep, your computer and the blue wavelength light it emits may be the culprit.

Prior to electric lighting, people slept an average of 10 hours a night, but now many are lucky if they get seven hours of sleep. This is attributed in large part to the use of artificial lighting and electronic devices at night. The blue wavelength light emitted makes our brains think its daytime and alters our body chemistry accordingly. You might as well have a cup of coffee! This blue light signals your body that it's time to wake up! No wonder there are so many insomniacs out there!

There are a few simple things you can do to help resynchronize your body to the natural circadian rhythms of night and day and help lessen the effects of blue light at night.

GET SOME SUN

Sunlight is the major synchronizer of your body clock, which is composed of a group of cells in your brain called the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). These nuclei synchronize to the light-dark cycle of your environment when certain light wavelengths reach your eyes. This in turn affects the various other biological clocks in your body, and those clocks then in turn synchronize with your master clock.

In order for your pineal gland to produce melatonin, you need at least 10 minutes of exposure to sunlight in the morning, followed by, ideally, at least an hour around noon. Then the ideal is to have only very low lighting, such as candlelight prior to bedtime. It's the sharp contrast between the daytime sunlight and the relative darkness in the evening that triggers melatonin production. In case you aren't familiar with it, melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps you sleep deeply. It can be taken in supplement form, but its preferable for your body to produce its own.

AVOID BLUE LIGHT AT NIGHT

Exposure to bright or blue wavelength light after sundown suppresses the natural production of melatonin which would normally occur. This includes any artificial light, and light emitted by electronics such as your TV, computer, and other electronic screens. The blue light range (400 to 490 nm) can also cause photoreceptor damage in your eyes, but that's a topic for another time.

Avoid watching TV or using the computer/iphone for at least one hour before bedtime but preferably 2 or more hours if possible. Research shows that using an electronic device within one hour of bedtime can delay falling asleep for more than an hour. Another study found that exposure to typical room light before bedtime shortened the time of elevated melatonin levels by about 90 minutes. That means it may take an extra hour and a half after exposure to such lighting before you feel sleepy.

DON'T WANT TO SIT IN THE DARK?

This doesn't mean you have to sit around in the dark. Try a low-wattage bulb with yellow, orange or red light, which are far less stimulating. A Himalayan salt lamp provides a warm, rosy light that will not interfere with your melatonin production. They're very beautiful too and create a comforting atmosphere. You can purchase them on Amazon, Bed, Bath/Beyond, and many other retailers

GETFLUX
If you must use your smart phone or computer, install blue light-blocking software like f.lux. The program automatically alters the color temperature of your screen as the day goes on, pulling out the blue wavelengths as eveing falls. It's free to download and very simple to use. I've been using it for the last couple of years and it really helps.

https://justgetflux.com

If you prefer, get a pair of amber colored glasses that block blue light. Studies indicate that when wearing blue-blocking glasses, people produce as much melatonin as they do in dim light, even in a brightly lit room. They are also a good option if no one else in your household is on board with this and thinks you're nuts for wanting to dim the lights.
The Uvex model (S1933X) blue-blocking glasses are reasonably priced and available on Amazon.

MAKE YOUR BEDROOM AS DARK AS POSSIBLE

Exposure to even small amounts of light during sleep has been shown to suppress melatonin by more than 50 percent. Try blackout shades or a sleep mask and if you have an alarm clock with a blue or green light display, swap it out for one with red or amber light, or just cover it up.

NIGHTTIME IS SACRED TIME

Turning off external distractions and stimulating activity in the evening just makes sense. In Traditional Chinese Medical Theory/TCM, the night is a yin time during which we should slow down our pace and turn inwards. Evening is the perfect time for prayer, journal or poetry writing, inspirational reading, or having quiet time connecting with our loved ones.

It's time to refresh not only our bodies, but also our souls and nothing on the internet is worth sacrificing that! So let's make the most of it!