We’re all aware of the impact light has on our ability to sleep to some degree. It’s the reason why we sleep at night, and if we take a cheeky nap during the day, why we close our window coverings to make the room as dark as possible. But the relationship between light and sleep is more complicated than the rotation of the sun, as there are several lights we encounter throughout the day that affect our quality of sleep.
This is due to how light exposure affects our circadian rhythm, which is our internal clock that dictates when it is time to rest. By learning about the connection between sleep and light exposure, you are giving yourself the best chance of enjoying a good night’s rest.
At Wenatex, we provide a range of European beds to help you secure the highest quality sleep possible. Browse our products or give us a call on 1300 858 139 or send an email to enquiries@wenatex.com.au to learn more.
How Light Affects Sleep
Natural Light
We have always been told that getting some sun is good for us, ever since we were young and forced to play outside. By exposing your body to natural light throughout the day, your circadian rhythm is ticking along as it should, helping your body to operate as it should. As the day winds down, natural light helps to prepare your body for sleep, making it a positive way for how light affects sleep.
The connection between natural light and sleep is a positive one, incentivising us to spend some time outdoors each day to keep our body’s internal clock in check. Days spent inside, especially in dimly lit rooms, can interfere with your circadian rhythm and make it harder to fall asleep that night. That makes it important to go for at least a short walk each day to help keep your body in check or open your windows and coverings to create a home brimming with natural light throughout the day.
Artificial Light
We are exposed to countless artificial lights throughout the day, whether it is at home, the office, or other areas such as supermarkets and restaurants. While it is not as good as natural light, the connection between sleep and light exposure shows that artificial lights help up us stay awake and alert throughout the day. Working in an office that features dim lights is an easy way to feel sluggish and tired, resulting in an unproductive day.
You should limit your exposure to artificial light towards the end of the day, however. While we rely on artificial light once the sun goes down, too much makes it harder to fall asleep once we lay our head down at night. Research on how light affects sleep recommends using incandescent or LED lightbulbs due to their softer glow having less of an impact on our circadian rhythm. Sleeping with the lights off is also recommended to secure the best quality of sleep. For those who need to sleep with a night light, experts recommend using a red or amber light due to their warm and soothing nature promoting good sleep.
Blue Light
Blue light refers to any device that omits light from its screen, such as televisions, computers, tablets, and of course, our phones. We all rely on these devices for entertainment and news and are exposed to them countless times throughout the day. For most of us, we instinctively reach for our phones when we are bored, unaware of the impact between blue light and sleep.
Using these devices before bedtime, or even while you are in bed, can significantly affect your ability to fall asleep and the quality of the sleep you will have. Setting a routine time where you turn off your television and power down your phone helps reduce the impact between sleep and light exposure. It can be hard to stay disconnected from these devices, so thankfully they often feature settings that reduce the harshness their screens at night, such as adaptive brightness and blue light filters.
Sleep Better with Wenatex!
Whether you are searching for a new mattress or a high-quality pillow, at Wenatex we provide a wide range of premium products scientifically proven to help you secure the best sleep possible. Explore our products to discover these sleep benefits yourself or send an email to enquiries@wenatex.com.au or give us a call on 1300 858 139 to learn more about the connection between light and sleep and how we help reduce its impact.
