Architecture Adrenaline
Promoting Freedom for Creative Architecture
Sleep is an essential component of our daily routine for our overall well-being. According to the National Sleep Foundation, an average adult should aim for at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. However, it's not just the quantity of sleep that is important, but also the quality of sleep. The quality of sleep depends on multiple factors, one of which is the environment and light conditions in our sleeping area. In this article, we will discuss how different colors of light impact our sleep and which color light helps us sleep better.
Light plays a crucial role in regulating our sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm. Our body's natural response to light tells us when to be awake and alert and when to rest and sleep. Red, orange, yellow, and warm white are warm colors that impact the body's internal clock positively, making us feel sleepy.
On the other hand, blue and cool white light reduce our natural production of melatonin, making us feel more awake and alert. Our electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, TVs, and LED lights, emit blue light that can interfere with our sleeping patterns.
As mentioned earlier, the blue light wavelength suppresses melatonin production that is responsible for regulating our sleep pattern. Long-term exposure to blue light sources in the evening or before bedtime causes circadian rhythm disruption, which can reduce the quality of sleep. It can increase the time it takes to fall asleep, reduce the overall duration of sleep, and decrease the amount of deep, restful sleep.
Studies have shown that blue light exposure before bedtime can also affect our mental health and well-being, causing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, it's recommended to limit your exposure to blue light at least two hours before bedtime.
Most people find it difficult to sleep when their sleeping environment is brightly lit. Therefore, it's essential to choose the proper color of light in your bedroom to stimulate relaxation and sleep. Soft, warm colors like red, orange, yellow, and light pink are calming to the eyes and mind, making it easier to fall asleep.
Red color wavelength is known to stimulate melatonin production, which helps regulate our sleep patterns. However, using red light sources before bedtime should be limited because its hue can interfere with our ability to wake up in the morning.
On the other hand, light in the green spectrum is the most calming color and helpful for sleep. Green light reduces our heart rate and blood pressure, making it easier to relax and decreases the time it takes to reach deep, restful sleep.
The best color of light for sleep is warm, soft, and dim white. This color creates a relaxing atmosphere, and lesser light wavelengths are better as they lead the eyes and mind to rest. Warmer hues in the red, orange and yellow spectrum can also activate the production of melatonin, making you sleepy.
The right kind of lighting also depends on individual preferences. You can choose a warm, low wattage bulb or a table lamp with dimmer settings or try having shades or curtains that block out unwanted light. Moreover, you can also opt for dimmable LED lights that offer different light temperature and dimming options.
Good quality sleep is essential for our health and well-being, and light plays a critical role in regulating our sleep cycle. Blue light exposure from electronic devices can negatively impact our sleep patterns, reducing our quality and duration of sleep. On the other hand, warm colors like red, yellow, orange, pink, and green contribute to relaxation, reducing the time it takes to fall asleep. The best color of light for sleep is warm, soft, and dim white, and a conducive environment for a pleasant sleep. Remember to assess your environment and preferences and make necessary adjustments to improve the quality of your sleep.
