Diet is an important cornerstone of health, but we must also be mindful of our light environment and how it affects our circadian rhythm.
The sun rays are composed of light from different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum: Infrared, red, blue and ultraviolet light.
Infrared and red light are regenerative to our mitochondria, help keep us energized.
Blue light is used for circadian regulation. The presence of blue light indicates daytime and causes alertness, its absence indicates nighttime and encourages Melatonin secretion.
Melatonin is not only necessary for good sleep, but has important functions throughout the body, and acts an anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, antic-cancer agent.
Improve your melatonin production by limiting blue light exposure after sunset:
- Keep your environment as dark as possible.
- Minimize screen exposure. When you need to use your device, use a blue light blocking software such as Flux.
- Use blue light blocking glasses.
- Replace LED lights with incandescent light bulbs (which have less blue, and more red/infrared light).