Are your kids having trouble sleeping? Wondering what might be the cause? If, like most kids, they really enjoy their screen time, blue light could be the culprit! Unfortunately, blue light and sleep just don’t mix.
Blue light from electronic devices like phones and tablets can mess with your child’s circadian rhythm, making it harder for them to fall asleep at night.
Why blue light and sleep don’t mix
Blue light has a sneaky way of disrupting our sleep patterns. It messes with our body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep cycles.
Blue light has a higher frequency than other colours of light, and it is particularly effective at suppressing the production of melatonin. This is because the cells in the eye that detect light, known as photoreceptors, are most sensitive to blue light. When these photoreceptors detect blue light, they signal the brain to suppress the production of melatonin. This can make it harder to fall asleep at night, and can also lead to other sleep problems, such as waking up frequently during the night.
High exposure to blue light can also throw off our body’s internal clock, making it harder to stick to a regular sleep schedule.
If your kids are like most, they’re probably glued to their screens before bed, which can overstimulate their brains and making it incredibly difficult for them to relax and drift off to sleep.
How to Minimize Exposure and Improve Your Child’s Sleep
So, what can you do to reduce your child’s exposure to blue light and improve their sleep? Here are some tips that may help:
Cut the Screen Time: Encourage your kids to ditch the devices at least an hour before bed. They can use this time to wind down with a book or a relaxing activity instead.
Filter It Out: Many devices have blue light filters that can be activated at night. You can also download apps that can adjust the screen’s colour temperature to a more soothing, less stimulating tone.
Get Some Specs: Blue light glasses are a trendy option that can filter out blue light during the day and help prepare the body for sleep at night. Plus, they make for a pretty cool accessory!
Create a Zen Zone: Make sure your child’s bedroom is a sleep-friendly environment. Keep it cool, quiet, and dark to help promote a peaceful slumber.
To sum up, blue light and sleep don’t have to be mortal enemies, they just need to be kept as separate as possible. By taking steps to reduce your child’s blue light exposure, you can help them get the restful sleep they need to stay healthy and happy. So, cut the screen time, filter out the blue light, get some specs, and create a zen zone. Sweet dreams!