The average person spends 24 hours a week online, according to The Telegraph. And, as they look at their computers or mobile phones, they get a glimpse at the blue light used to illuminate their screens.
You may have heard a whisper of the danger that may come with staring at blue lights for too long. But is it all bad blue?
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Blue Light Anyway?
You’ve heard the term thrown around, and you can somewhat deduce what it is. Blue wavelengths of light are great for you to see during the day. They increase your attention spans, boost your mood, and sharpen your reaction times.
But as we spend more time on electronic devices, we see more blue wavelengths than we should. And this is problematic, especially at night.
Bad Blue Light and Sleep
All of us run on a circadian rhythm, a 24-hour circuit that dictates when we wake up and when we sleep.
Your circadian rhythm stems from the hypothalamus, a portion of your brain. Still, your internal clock can be shifted and changed by outside sources — specifically, lightness and darkness.
So, when it starts getting dark at night, your eyes signal to your brain that it’s time to get tired. The same goes for daylight — when the sun begins to rise, your body knows it’s time to wake up.
You might be able to see how blue light can be a problem in this situation. Because it naturally stimulates, it can confuse your brain at nighttime. The brightness will block the signal that it’s time to wind down for sleep.
So, looking at a blue light before bed can make it more difficult to fall asleep. And poor sleep has a slew of side effects, from irritability to increased carb cravings to a weakened immune system.
Check to see if your devices have a night mode, which uses less blue light. That way, you can skip the adverse side effects of life sans sleep.
Blue Light and Vision
You might be wondering if blue light can affect your vision, too. As of now, there isn’t any evidence that blue light can damage your eyes.
What you may be experiencing is called digital eye strain. When we look at screens, we tend to blink less. And leaving eyes open for too long can leave them feeling dry.
On top of that, digital eye strain can cause eyes to feel achy or tired. You might also notice your eyes tearing up more than usual.
Your doctor can provide eye care and tips to reduce the digital eye strain you experience. For instance, you can make a point to look away from your screen every 20 minutes for at least 20 seconds. Choose something 20 feet away — and remember all this as the 20-20-20 rule.
Blue Light and You
Technology is part of our lives now. Fortunately, there’s no such thing as bad blue light — it won’t damage your eyes. You just need to regulate how you use it so that you can rest well for all of the days ahead.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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