by Angela V Wondering where blue light comes from? The sun’s light is scattered in all directions by tiny molecules of air in the atmosphere and blue is scattered more than other colors, because it travels in shorter, smaller waves. This is where blue light comes from and why we see the sky blue most of the time. Now the natural blue light from the sun helps you regulate your sleep cycle, boost alertness, elevate your mood and make you feel good, so it is actually GOOD for you.
The issue with blue light is the excessive exposure to artificial sources of blue light in electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, and laptop computers, as well as energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs and LED lights. With artificial lighting and new technology, our evenings are now always illuminated, and we spend hours and hours behind screens. Remember that before artificial lighting, the sun was the primary source of illumination and people would spend their evenings in mostly darkness.
Exposure to blue light at night throws our body’s clock out of whack and suppresses the secretion of melatonin, making our sleep suffer and according to Harvard researchers even contributing to things like heart disease, diabetes, certain types of cancer and more.
Our eyes’ natural filters do not provide sufficient protection against blue light rays from the sun, let alone the blue light emanating from these devices. Prolonged exposure to blue light may cause retinal damage and contribute to age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to loss of vision.
With technology taking over our lives we are gradually being exposed to more and more sources of blue light and for more extended periods of time. This is why it is so important to be mindful when using digital devices.
What can I do to protect myself from the harmful effects of blue light exposure?
Below you will find a few recommendations that can help combat the negative effects of blue light exposure.
- When staring at your devices be sure to take frequent breaks, move away from the screen at least every hour to give your eyes a break.
- Avoid looking at bright screens beginning two to three hours before bed. If you can’t avoid looking at screens at night-time, it is recommended to wear blue light blocking glasses. We recommend a pair like these inexpensive ones from Amazon: US/CAN
- Try to expose yourself to lots of bright light during the day that will help boost your ability to sleep at night, as well as your mood and alertness during daylight.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
23 Comments on “How Blue Light Exposure can Affect Your Health”
The new samsung phones filter out blue light, some monitors have that setting too. There’s a free app/program called twilight , also another called f.lux for pc. It’s great for this.
I wonder how this relates to those who live northern and have longer periods of light in general.
When I worked I had a screen protector plus my office had a protecting coat because my eyes are really sensitive.
I’ve got tinted glasses that I got from my eye doctor and I’ve also got a pair of yellow tinted glasses from amazon and they really help
I am so bad.. I often am on my phone or watching Tv late at night :/ thank you for the info!
I didn’t know that blue light can affect your health so much.
Thank you for an important post! I would like to start going device free on weekends because I am pretty sure it is affecting my health!
My new tablet has a setting to filter out the blue light and I find it really makes a difference.
Eek. this is scary. I never knew about this – or even thought about it! My kids and I are getting more exposure than we should!
I wonder if there’s a way to change the settings on the devices too.
I know that companies who invent technology are trying to change the light from these screens… But I do know it can affect us tremendously. I used to have a computer in my bedroom years ago and the lights from the on/off buttons used to cause sleep disturbance. Everything changed when I moved to a larger place with a separate office.
This is good to know. I’ll have to check my devices to see if I can filter out blue light.
Thanks for the article. it is an important consideration.
Thanks for the great information. It’s good to know how the blue light is affecting us so that we can make choices,and do things to help our sight.
I use the filter on my tablet to block the blue light
Good article, I know I need to look into getting blue light blocking glasses as my eyes seem to be getting sore after using devices with screens.
Great article. I also think right now a lot of people are getting way too much blue light exposure.
I try to spend much less time on my devices and get outside for a walk.
I’m exposed to much more blue light these days, trying to figure out all the ways to minimize; thanks for the tips
Great to know this. Thanks for sharing.
Great post! Thanks for the tips.
When it comes to managing diabetes, what are some recommended strategies for treatment beyond lifestyle changes, such as medication options, insulin therapy, and regular monitoring, to effectively control blood sugar levels and ensure long-term health and well-being?
Wow, so good to know. Thanks for this!