Sleep with light

Restful night's sleep with red light

Sleeping in the dark is not something everyone likes. But it's actually the healthiest way to sleep. That's because researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago have found that people who leave the lights on when they sleep have an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. The results of their study were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

More info about the sleep study

According to research by the sleep medicine team led by Dr. Phyllis Zee, people exposed to artificial light at night have poorer regulation of glucose and cardiovascular functions compared to those who sleep in the dark. The researchers suggest that the light keeps the body "more awake." Leaving the light on while sleeping disrupts the so-called circadian rhythm, or our internal clock.

Normally, the human body recognizes that it is time to sleep by alternating between daylight and darkness. However, when you sleep with the light on, this signal is absent. The consequence: the autonomic nervous system remains active, the heart rate increases and the blood sugar level is altered.

But what if sleeping in the dark is absolutely not your thing? Or there's a good reason for having a permanently illuminated light source in the bedroom?

Then there is a solution. The right light color is crucial. In this article, you'll find out what it is and how you can get it in your bedroom.

Sleep with light: the advantages

Sleep with light

Sleeping with light is not the norm. And yet light in the bedroom can have its advantages.

Sense of security: A dim light in the room can help you feel safer. Especially for people who are afraid of the dark, a soft light in the room can have a calming effect and give a feeling of security.
Orientation: A light in the room can help you get your bearings in the dark. If you wake up at night and need to find your way around, a nightlight or dimmed lamp can help avoid tripping hazards.
Relaxation: A dim light can create a relaxing atmosphere and help you fall asleep faster. It can relieve the stress of the day and prepare the body for sleep.
Sleep quality: For some people, a certain amount of light in the room can improve sleep quality. A soft light can help reduce inner turmoil and allow for a more peaceful sleep.
Sleep Habits: Sleeping with light on can also be a habit you've developed over time. Some people simply feel more comfortable when there is a certain amount of light and can sleep better as a result.

Let's think back to the study from the beginning of this post. Research says: light while sleeping is unhealthy. But then there are the benefits just mentioned.

Can not combine the good with the practical? Sleep with light and health?

Yes!

And how?

With the appropriate light color.

What color of light for sleeping?

Light colors 1000 to 8000 Kelvin - warm white, neutral white to daylight white

The best light color for falling asleep is warm, subdued light in the range of 2700 to 3000 Kelvin. This light color resembles the natural sunset and promotes the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, which can lead to better sleep.

You should avoid blue and cold light in any case. At least in the evening and directly before going to bed.

Okay, orange light to fall asleep is already clear. But at night? That's a different color direction.

Red light for sleeping

Red light can actually help you fall asleep because it promotes the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. Exposure to red light increases the production of melatonin in the brain. And that, in turn, helps regulate the circadian rhythm.

The circadian rhythm - 24 hours

In summary: Red light has a calming effect on the body and can help regulate the sleep-wake rhythm.

So what would be the solution for you if you want to sleep with light?

Ideally, a dimmable red light source is used. You place it in a suitable place in your bedroom.

Advantages of red light

Red light can have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.

It has been found that red light can improve blood circulation and lower blood pressure. It can also promote relaxation and reduce stress, which in turn can have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. In addition, red light can increase the production of nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels and improves blood flow. However, more research is needed to understand and confirm the exact effects of red light on the cardiovascular system.

Dark vs. Light = What can you do?

The fact is, rest and a dark environment are actually the basic requirements for healthy and restful sleep. However, for some people this is not possible because they have to leave the light on when they go to bed in order to fall asleep at all. This not only has a negative impact on the electricity bill, but also on health.

But there is a compromise: the use of red light.

The solution: red light to fall asleep

Red light can promote melatonin production. This, in turn, causes you to get tired and fall asleep in this light. Even if you put a red light source right next to your bed.

However, it is important that the light source is strongly dimmed. Because light remains light. And the study from above speaks for itself.

Dimmable ring light with red light function

We at Lichtblock heard you.

Our Uno red light lamp is very popular in our community. And the outer ring is also popular as an evening light source. In the living room when relaxing. Or even in the bedroom.

That's smart. But when the main concern is pleasant lighting, a workable compromise had to be found.

So we thought about how to make your life easier. The result:

Our new ring light.

Lichtblock Luce - ring light with 3 light spectra

Our ring light is super lightweight and portable. It comes with three light modes:

Daylight, candlelight and nightlight (red light).

The daylight mode is ideal for you if you need light in everyday life and need to stay awake. The candlelight mode, on the other hand, creates a cozy atmosphere in the evening. And the red light is the perfect light just before bedtime.

Tip if you want to sleep with light: Select the red light mode on the ring light and dim it way down. You'll have a sleep-inducing light source in your bedroom. The light also has a handy timer function (after 5, 10, 30 or 60 minutes, the light then turns off automatically).