Light has a huge influence on how we sleep; blue light, green light, natural light, artificial light - they all have a role to play.
Unfortunately, exposure to artificial light in particular is all but impossible to avoid in modern society. However, that doesn't mean we're all doomed to permanent states of insomnia.
Thanks to a tip from a member of the Insomnia Land forums, it would appear we now have a clearer idea on what type of artificial light we should be avoiding.
According to researchers, white light LEDs are the worst type of lightbulb when it comes to negatively affecting our sleep.
Apparently, the light emitted by white LEDs suppresses melatonin production five times more than the orange-yellow light emitted by traditional light bulbs.
It's worth mentioning that, confusingly, the light emitted by white light LEDs is actually blue light on the spectrum.
So what's the solution? Researchers argue that we need legislation to limit light pollution, that we should restrict artificial lighting only to the minimum amount necessary and that we need better labeling so consumers know what kind of light the bulbs they are purchasing are emitting and how this light will affect them.
I couldn't agree more.
Source: Journal of Environmental Management
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Last updated: January 3, 2013
