The blue light on your TV is a specific type of light that is emitted by many electronic devices and energy efficient light bulbs. While it may not seem like it matters what type of light these electronics emit, it actually does. Blue light has been found to have negative health effects, which is why it is important to understand the facts about the blue light on your TV and the blue light that is emitted by other electronics as well.
One of the critical facts you need to know about the blue light on your TV is that it suppresses melatonin production. This is important because melatonin is a hormone that helps induce sleep. If your brain is not producing enough melatonin due to blue light exposure you will find it more difficult to fall asleep. You will also be more likely to feel groggy and exhausted the next day. Therefore, if you want a good night’s sleep, you may want to forgo late night TV and shut down electronics earlier in the evening.
Your circadian rhythm is a rhythm that responds to light and darkness, and it produces physical, mental, and behavior changes in a 24 hour cycle. It also influences your sleep-wake cycle, hormone release, and body temperature. Unfortunately, blue light affects your circadian rhythm, which can leave you feeling tired and out of balance.
Since it can keep you from falling asleep by suppressing melatonin, it may not surprise you to learn that blue light is stimulating. Blue wave lengths boost attention, reaction time, and mood. During the day the stimulating effect of blue light isn’t such a bad thing, however at night, it can disrupt your ability to wind down, which isn’t good when you are trying to relax at the end of a hard day.
While the blue light from electronics doesn’t have any positive benefits, blue light can be used in certain situations therapeutically. For example, the stimulating effect of blue light can help people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to the Mayo Clinic, blue light therapy can be an effective treatment for SAD. However, specific lights have to be used, and, if you use blue light, you need to talk to a doctor about how to use it properly, especially since blue light can cause eye damage.
Unfortunately, blue light can cause eye damage. Exposure to large amount of blue light has been linked to age-related macular degeneration. Because of this link, it is important to limit your exposure to blue light.
While it is important to limit your exposure to blue light since it has negative health consequences, it can be difficult. Blue light is found everywhere, and people are exposed to it all day long. Computers, TVs, cellphones, tablets, LED lights, and fluorescent lights all emit blue light. Clearly, blue light isn’t something you can avoid. However, there are ways to filter it.
Thankfully, you are not stuck accepting that you are constantly exposed to blue light. There are excellent filters that filter out blue light. You can purchase screens for electronic devices that filter blue light, and you can even install the program f.lux on your computer to filter the blue light on your computer screen. There are also glasses that filter blue light. Using these filters, particularly at night, can greatly help you avoid the negative consequences of blue light.
Obviously, blue light is something that surrounds you every day. While it does have negative effects on health, there are ways to avoid it. You just need filter screens or glasses. What an easy solution. Did you know blue light could cause you to have trouble sleeping?
justgetflux.com, health.harvard.edu, nigms.nih.gov, vision.about.com