Morning blue light therapy boosts sleep and activity in seniors

Medical Xpress / University of Surrey / GeroScience ^ | Feb. 25, 2025 | Débora Barroggi Constantino et al

[ConservativeMind]

Blue-enriched light can improve sleep quality and daily activity in older adults living at home, according to new research. Researchers found that this type of light therapy led to greater daytime activity, earlier bedtimes, regular sleep patterns and improved sleep quality, offering a promising, non-pharmacological approach to address age-related sleep challenges.

As people age, their sleep patterns often change, leading to difficulties falling asleep, waking up earlier, more frequent nighttime awakenings, and overall poorer sleep quality. These changes are linked to age-related changes in the eyes and reduced exposure to daylight, often due to decreased mobility and social interactions, alongside increased exposure to artificial light at night, particularly if they live in care homes.

The study investigated the effects of different light conditions on 36 adults aged 60 and older. Participants self-administered both a control white light and a blue-enriched white light for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, over an 11-week period. Researchers carefully monitored sleep patterns and activity levels using wearable technology and sleep diaries.

The study found that the timing of light is crucial. They found that blue-enriched light is only beneficial in the morning, while exposure in the evening makes it more difficult to fall asleep and causes more restless nights.

[ConservativeMind]

Blue light only in the morning to help get to sleep at night.

Reduced exposure to daylight is a possible cause of this lack of bluer light in the mornings for people.

[ConservativeMind]

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[lee martell]

I have always heard that the Pineal Gland , a tiny endocrine gland in middle of the brain makes use of environmental light for our benefit. The Pineal helps to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm and to produce melatonin.

[frank ballenger]

KMart was way ahead of the times with their Blue Light Specials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjsX8ZwMFM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW_TWhzOFX8

[MayflowerMadam]

My bug zapper light is blue. Maybe I’ll move it next to my sewing machine.

[Lazamataz]

So, I’m hearing that having cops show up in my house every morning is good for my sleep patterns.

Well, that means I’m already doing something healthy.

Excuse me for a moment... “Warrant? For what?”

(sounds of a struggle)
(”Stop resisting!”)
(”Let me see the hands!”)

[DannyTN]

When they issue us our artificially intelligent pleasure bot overlords, I'll ask mine to radiate blue in the morning.

[spankalib]

Do you know which "Blue-enriched light" is recommended?

I'm 'assuming' there is a certain wavelength they are referring to, and not just "any blue light"...

As an aside, I bought light-blockers (sticky black shapes) on amazon to put over the led lights on the stove, microwave, refrigerator, etc. to make my sleep 'deeper'/more black (at night).

[WhattheDickens?]

Ping

[John Galt's cousin]

“As an aside, I bought light-blockers (sticky black shapes) on amazon to put over the led lights on the stove, microwave, refrigerator, etc. to make my sleep ‘deeper’/more black (at night). “

LOL.

I had some red plastic which was sold to stick to, and patch, busted tail lights. Put small pieces over the annoying blue lights on the monitor, old desktop and shredder, and it helps.

I’ll have to stop in the auto parts store and see if they still sell it.

[John Galt's cousin]

looks like the big on line retailer sells a couple of brands. The local guys probably have too!

[spankalib]

https://tinyurl.com/4ad245c6