5 Ways Blue Light Is Affecting Your Health
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You’ve probably heard claims about blue light and its effects on our health, but brushed them off amid everything else filling our news feeds.
Still, given that people of all ages (starting with 2+ year-olds) are constantly exposing themselves to devices that emit this type of light, it’s worth taking a fresh look at the topic.
Therefore, today we are going to talk about what is blue light and how it affects your health in the long term.
What is Blue Light?
The largest source of blue light in our lives is the sun. Our modern devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, and so on) are another source, though they give off much less blue light than sunlight, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
And, while most of them are safe for moderate use, we are now using them for almost anything from work to entertainment.
After all, who among us doesn’t spend at least a few nights a week scrolling social media, watching streamed content, or reading various articles online?
We need more research on how these devices may affect our eyes, but for now, specialists believe that blue light from electronics can be linked with eyestrain, dry eye, and blurry vision. However, there is no scientific evidence that blue light from digital devices damages the eye, and screen discomfort is most likely digital eye strain. On top of that, the use of blue-light-emitting devices is believed to disturb the natural sleep cycle.
5 Long-Term Effects [You Can Prevent]
1. Eye Strain
If you stay too much in front of a screen, you’ll notice your eyes get dry and red (as the first symptoms of fatigue and eye strain). This happens because we blink at a slower rate while watching the content displayed on these screens and we tend to keep the eye in focus mode most of the time.
As a result, the eye muscles get tired, which also leads to blurry vision and even light sensitivity. Digital eye strain is uncomfortable, but it does not cause lasting damage to the eye.
To keep your eyes safe and prevent fatigue and eye strain, it’s important to take breaks and get your eyes to rest.
If you are looking for ways to improve your vision, check this website contactlenses.co.uk. Also, if you suffer from light sensitivity, a pair of photophobia glasses may help ease the discomfort. See an eye doctor if light sensitivity is new or severe.
2. Increased Cancer Risk
Research has linked light exposure at night, which throws off the body’s circadian rhythm, to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. As Harvard Health notes, that is not proof that nighttime light causes these conditions, and more research is needed.
3. Sleep Pattern Disruption
Screen time right before you fall asleep is linked to poor sleeping patterns (which leads to a whole new area of health problems). This happens because blue light keeps the brain active and reduces the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.
Therefore, to improve your sleep, avoid looking at bright screens for two to three hours before going to bed. Instead, read a book or write in your journal (it helps to unload the mind).
4. Health Problems in Children
Our children use modern devices from a very young age, but this is not a bad thing if they are supervised by adults and their time in front of screens is limited.
Researchers are still studying how screens affect children. Not getting enough time in sunlight may raise the risk of nearsightedness (myopia), so balance screen time with outdoor play.
The solution here, just like with adults, is to limit the use of modern devices during the day and completely forbid it a few hours before bedtime.
5. It Influences Mental Health
There are several studies that show there is a connection between the light around us and our overall mood.
Light and dark are the biggest influences on our circadian rhythms, which affect sleep, alertness, and mood. That may be one reason many people feel better on sunny days.
Exposure to blue light is believed to have an energetic effect on the human brain (which is why it’s not recommended to use devices right before bed).
Light at the wrong time of day can disrupt sleep, and poor sleep can worsen mood. Researchers are still studying how nighttime light exposure relates to mood disorders.
In short, the best thing we can do right now for our health and the health of our children is to limit exposure time to devices. If this is not possible, use nighttime settings on your screens in the evening, and see an eye doctor if your eyes bother you.
Lastly, make sure you make time to go outside and explore green spaces, which are known to help improve mental health and rest the eyes.
Sources
- Should You Be Worried About Blue Light?, American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Blue light has a dark side, Harvard Health Publishing
- Circadian Rhythms, NIGMS
