Are Your Blue Lights Chipping Away at Your Sleep?
By Sandy Schroeder
When every blink of the blue lights from your electronics takes one more swipe at your sleep, it may be time to rethink the way you rest. Removing electronics from your bedroom could make a night and day difference in your sleep and available energy.
We are so used to living with electronics, it’s easy to let them slip into our evening routine. Working on last minute emails, and checking our phone at night can be a way of life that subtracts sleep and devours energy.
Harvard Health researchers say, “Exposure to blue light at night, emitted by electronics and energy-efficient lightbulbs, can be harmful to your health.”
In the daytime, blue wavelengths keep us focused and energized; at night those same blue lights can undermine our sleep, throwing everything out of whack. Researchers say the sleep disruption can lead to cancer, heart disease, weight gain and diabetes.
Fighting Back
- Use low red lights as night lights to avoid disturbing sleep and inhibiting sleep-inducing melatonin
- Turn off bright screens a couple of hours before bedtime
- If you must use electronics at night use blue-blocking glasses or computer filters for blue/green light
- Get as much outdoor bright light as you can every day to encourage better sleep at night
How Your Chiropractor Can Help
Stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you to discuss your sleep issues. The Joint’s doctors of chiropractic help everyone from teens to seniors find the best health, wellness and fitness solutions every day.
When you come in, get to know your chiropractor and learn how your spinal health can affect your overall health. As you talk about your daily routines, use of electronics and sleep patterns, your chiropractor will help you sort through the questions and evaluate your spinal health.
A weekly pattern of 15-minute spinal adjustments may prove to be the best way to stay at your peak and start working on better sleep habits.
As you reduce blue light emissions, consider adding an air filter to clean the air and provide white noise. Light-blocking drapes and mattress and pillow updates help, too. Cut your caffeine after lunch and keep alcohol and smoking down in the evening. See what you can do to reduce any ongoing stress issues, too.
Over time you may find yourself getting up earlier. Your family may be amazed to see you smiling, and you may be delighted to feel more energy. Keep working on it until the new sleep routine becomes a healthy habit.
Stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you when you are ready to get started. Find out about the affordable personal healthcare plans that require no insurance, and the flexible weekend and evening hours. Walk-in visits are welcome and no appointments are needed.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Las Vegas, Nev.