What Color Light Helps You Sleep
Written by Nectarsleep editorial team
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Last Updated on Jun 02, 2022
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One of the things most of us do before we hit the sheets is to turn off the lights. While a dark room tells our internal clock that it is now time to sleep, we also keep the lights off because we have been told that light disrupts sleep. But, light is not always the culprit. In fact, there are a few colors of light that can aid deep uninterrupted sleep. So, what color light helps you sleep? The below paragraphs bring you all the information you need. Just read ahead to know all about it.
What Color Light Helps You Sleep
The number one rule for a deep slumber is no lights at all. That’s what guarantees the best rest. But if you are someone who cannot sleep without the lights and are looking for something that will fulfill your sleep needs as well, you are in the right place.
Light has been an imperative resource from the dawn of time, hasn’t it? It helps us see and recognize our surroundings and helps us go on with our day-to-day activities. But, it also has a psychological effect on us where it can improve our mood, help us feel good and even enable us to fall asleep easily. For instance, the color blue can calm you down, while yellow can add some cheer.
Light can play an important role in the circadian rhythm when it comes to sleep. Now, a circadian rhythm is your body’s clock, which tells you when to sleep and when to wake up. So, when your body gets exposed to the light, it guides the body’s system. Your body is designed to follow the natural light exposure, including sunrise and sunset. However, we live in a world with plenty of artificial light that can dent the natural rhythm.
When exposed to bad lighting before bed, it can hamper the circadian rhythm. And when your circadian rhythm goes haywire, it can disturb your sleep and even impact your health. But there are some colors of lights that can help you with your sleep cycle.
Today, light therapy is another treatment option for treating sleep disorders where you are exposed to indoor lights to avail of its benefits. So, what color led light helps you sleep? It is usually blue or red. More on it below.
Red Light and Sleep
You must have heard several times how bright light can hinder your sleep. Well, that’s not the case when it comes to red lights. Now, when it comes to the science of light for sleep, you cannot simply use red-tinted light that will add a red hue to your room. While they may improve your mood and offer red light therapy, they will not match your sleep requirements. Instead, you need a sleep light that emits red light wavelengths.
Apparently, the red light wavelength is suitable for you as it stimulates the brain to produce melatonin, a hormone that sends signals to the body indicating that it is now time to sleep.
In a study, it was found that people who used red lights for sleep, slept better, and there was an improvement in their sleep quality. In fact, they could also fall asleep faster and enjoyed a sound sleep. So, is red light good for sleep? The answer is yes! Red is the best-LED color for sleep. And, if you are someone who wants to keep the lights on when they sleep, this is a perfect solution for you.
Benefits of Red Light for Sleep
You now know red is the most relaxing light color for sleep. So, let’s look at other advantages the red light has to offer connected to sleep.
Sleep Inertia
Sleep inertia is a condition when you feel confused and hazy even after you wake up from your sleep, and your memory and alertness are adversely affected. And red light can help ease the condition.
A study showed that when the saturated red light was delivered to patients with sleep inertia after they were awake showed a slight improvement. In this study, the patients kept their eyelids closed when receiving the light.
Night Vision
If you want to read something at night, the white light can sometimes strain your eyes and this is where red lights come in. It will help you read and see clearly at night as they are non-glaring. This is one of the reasons why there is a red light in the cockpits.
Blue Light and Sleep
While blue is a great color to stabilize your mood, it is not a great color for sleep. Today, several LED devices make use of the color blue as it helps you relax immediately. So, does blue light keep you awake? Yes. Blue light interferes with melatonin production and helps keep you alert.
Since your phone and TV also use blue light, it is suggested to switch off your electronics at least 60 minutes before you hit the sheets to enjoy a deep and peaceful slumber.
Most Relaxing Light Colors For Sleep
Now that you know what color helps you sleep, let’s look at all the colors that can relax before bed to enjoy a wonderful sleep time.
Red
If you are still wondering what color light is best for sleep? The answer is red. It is a perfect nighttime color that will help you relax and ensure that you sleep well and peacefully. You can start using red light an hour before your bedtime. Let’s say you have a bedtime ritual, such as yoga, a skincare routine, or meditation; you can do it under the red light. It helps prepare you for bed by enhancing your melatonin production.
Pink
Pink is one of those colors that can put you in a relaxed mood. So pink lights are great for children’s rooms, master bedrooms, your reading corner, and more. Pink lights also help you wake up early in the morning and calm you. It also adds a dreamy enhancing quality to the room, which is perfect. This is because pink is made of a mix of red and purple wavelengths.
Green
Green is a great color. But, is green light good for sleep? While it can keep you super calm, it is a color known to improve wakefulness. In fact, green is also a great color to aid your focus. So, you can use green lights for your workspace or study room as it helps you with your concentration. This works because green passes through darkness compared to any other color, keeping your energy and focus high.
Blue
Blue light is great to keep you alert, but it is not suitable for sleep. However, the blue wavelength can boost attention and keep your mood great. One of the reasons you must avoid using blue light at night is that it suppresses melatonin production, which is essential for good sleep.
So, what color promotes sleep? To wrap it all up, red light can be beneficial for sleep and can help you enjoy a deep slumber. While we still need extensive research on the subject, studies show that red light can be a helpful option. You can also try to expose yourself to the natural light to set your circadian rhythm right. Go out in the sun during the daytime, and enjoy the sunshine. Keep the lights dim and keep your room dark at night or in the evenings.
Hope this helps!
