Getting Quality Sleep
Getting Quality Sleep
When you are forced to go without electricity, such as when camping or if the power goes out, you sleep deeper and arise more rested. Light sources at night interrupt your circadian clock and melatonin levels, both responsible for how deeply you sleep and well rested you feel the next day.
Aside from electronic screens, LEDs and fluorescent lights are particularly damaging because of the isolated blue light peaks that are not balanced by red and near infrared. Importantly, LEDs may promote age-related macular degeneration. Incandescent lights, on the other hand, emit red and near infrared wavelengths and very little in the blue wavelengths, making them a far healthier type of lighting. The lower the light the better after sunset, candlelight is ideal.
It is important to expose yourself to bright sunlight in the morning and/or around solar noon to “set” your master clock, and to avoid blue light exposure after sunset for the same reason. You also need to be mindful of avoiding light penetration while sleeping. Research reveals even dim light exposure during sleep can affect your cognition the next day, so ideally, use blackout shades or an eye mask.
