What Color Light Helps You Sleep

What Color Light Helps You Sleep

Written by Mehran Uzair

Last Updated on Jul 21, 2023

In this article:

    Many times, we came across words that advised us not to be near bright colors before going to bed. Of course, this is true, but there is some knowledge about what color lights help you sleep. Yes, certain lights help you sleep better. This is because our body’s sleep cycle is majorly functioned by the melatonin hormone. Now, specialized photoreceptors send the signal to our brain whenever there is any light and thereby influence the brain. 

    It is according to 2017 studies that have stated how people were most sensitive to lights having wavelengths of 450 to 480 nanometers. And, for maximum people, this color tends to be blue. 

    However, limited research has been conducted about the other lights and their effects on sleep cycles. But according to whatever number of researches conducted, the answer to what color light helps you sleep can be concluded to be warm colors. It aids in a better sleep cycle.

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    What Color Light Helps You Sleep?

    When finding an answer to what color light helps you sleep, we need to delve deep into the knowledge about lights and their emotional cognition. We have had this pre-installed thought of how lights can be detrimental to our sleep for the longest time. Hardly anyone turns on their lights and sleeps. But, it is only recent studies that have unraveled the mystery that sleeping with certain color lights on can lead to good sleep. But what color light helps you sleep even? Preferably warm tones. 

    When you put up with the most relaxing light color for sleep, you are up for some improvement in the sleep cycle, mood, well-being, and cognition. In addition, lights are highly instrumental in advocating how we perceive the world around us, how we see the environment, and how we remember it. Because of all these reasons, light plays a massive role in our circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycles

    For the longest time, these researches have been conducted on rodents. But since they are nocturnal and color-blind, the results were baseless. However, according to a limited number of surveys conducted on humans, it has been found that the color red is the most relaxing light color for sleep. Therefore, the best LED light color for sleep is also red. 

    Red Light and Sleep

    Is red light food for sleep? According to many researches conducted to date, the answer to what color light helps you sleep has been red. If you are also equally confused about the fact that how can a glowing color like red be beneficial in sleeping, then keep on reading the following facts:

    • According to a study conducted in 2012- 20 female basketball players were exposed to red lights for 30 minutes right before their bedtime. It was after a continuous 14 days of exposure, it was confirmed that only those exposed to the light tended to have a developed sleep quality and melatonin levels compared to the other players.  
    • Another study conducted on mice in 2017 stated that red light exposed at an intensity of 10 lux or greater could generate sleep. 

    Now that you know that the answer to the question - what color promotes sleep? is the red light, you are probably planning to fix some aesthetic red lamps right on your bedside table.  

    Benefits of Red Light for Sleep 

    Once you know what color light helps you sleep, you’d definitely be excited about the benefits it offers. Let us study the same.

    1. Red light affects our circadian rhythm and helps us fall asleep faster
    2. Red light helps us feel more soothing and calm in the evening
    3. Red light promotes melatonin production - the hormone that helps us fall asleep
    4. In fact, some experts have quoted that red light uplifts our overall mood and improves our mental health as well

    Therefore, if you are buying a new house, or decorating, ensure to spend money on none other than the best LED color for sleep in your bedroom, and that is red. 

    Blue Light and Sleep

    Does blue light keep you awake? Well, mostly yes. This is because blue lights ensure that you stay awake. This is the explanation why blue light guarding glasses balance the fatigue it generates by inferring the melatonin production. The light color blue helps you stay energetic, and wakeful as well. This is because our brain is more sensitive to blue wavelengths. In fact, studies have shown that the blue light affects the circadian rhythm of blind people as well. 

    This is the reason blue or cool-toned fluorescent lights present in phones, TV, and similar devices are detrimental in nature. And, this is the reason why you are asked to get yourself a blue-light guarding spectacle whenever you study from a laptop or start working. This is why, whenever you scroll news, you often find a feed stating how you should keep aside from your phone or laptop at least 30 minutes pre-sleep. In case you need to work late at night, you can switch to a warm tone having red hues.

    Most Relaxing Light Colors For Sleep

    The answer to what color light helps you sleep is not only red. There are certain light colors that soothe you to sleep, and also have certain other purposes. When knowing what color promotes sleep, we need to know what functions each color posses. Before that, it should be noted that each color has its own charisma when it comes to characteristics. 

    Under warm colors, we have red, orange, pink, brown, and yellow. And under cool colors, we have blue, green, gray, turquoise, purple, and more. According to the aforementioned studies that we have encountered, it can be plainly said that warm colors are the most suitable for sleeping or resting. 

    Illustration Of Relaxing Light Colors For Sleep

    Let us now study what color light helps you sleep so that you can decorate your room accordingly. 

    1. Red Light:

      The perfect light to calm you down before sleep or even during it. If you are someone who cannot sleep with lights turned off, opting for the red light is the most decent choice you will make. It will calm you down, and boost your melatonin production, helping you to sleep. If you’re wondering what color LED light helps you sleep, clearly select red. For someone who likes relaxing their nerves by practicing some yoga, guided breathing, white noise exercise, meditation, and so on. 

    2. Pink Light:

      Pink color is a dramatic and fairy-tale-like hue that will make your infant and toddlers go happy. This light is perfect to put on when the sunrise is too early. It is one of the most relaxing light colors for sleep and gives you a soothing effect. Moreover, this color is quite unique as well. If you are looking to revamp your yoga room, children’s room, or your own bedroom, then a pink color light would be pleasant to go. Your children will definitely love you for this. 

    3. Blue Light:

      Blue light and sleep? Nay! But it does go with certain moods. Does blue keep you awake? Mostly yes. But this color provides a very pacifying effect that aids you to rest. You will often see blue lights turned on in rooms during the evening times and instantly feel very calm. Restaurants and cafes often have blue lights that help people relax while they eat and drink. Even blue LED lights are also widely available in the market, you can pick one to set in your drawing-room. 

    4. Green Light:

      You might have often come across green color lights in rooms of professional gamers and the reason is, that green lights boost wakefulness. Since playing games requires immense concentration, the light provides exactly the same. Intense gaming sessions and crucial game competitions mandate using green light colors. The green color works best in darkness because it pierces through darkness most efficiently. This is why placing them in a dark background lightens up the place and skyrockets alertness and enthusiasm.  If you are someone who likes to change between colors and wishes to shift from blue or white to something more powerful, then green is the option. 

    After reading the article about what color light helps you sleep, we all know that red is the one. Red would be perfect if you wish to have some ‘me-time’ before sleeping off, practicing some yoga or listening to music, and pursuing similar activities. Whereas, pink is more suitable for a children's room because of the fairy-tale feel they would definitely enjoy. If you are a gamer and need to stay alert, then green is the color. Blue, though is not the most suitable color to lull you to sleep but is definitely quite relaxing in itself. Therefore, choose the one you feel like only after considering your wishes.

    Disclaimer: This website does not offer medical advice nor professional medical services; rather, it is provided solely for educational, informational, and/or entertainment purposes. Individuals seeking medical advice should consult a licensed physician. The information provided should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition, disease, or injury. When you have a medical condition, you should always talk to licensed doctor or other certified medical professional. You should never delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment based on the contents of this website. Call 911 or immediately go to the nearest emergency room if you think you may have a medical emergency. The contents of this website are provided "as-is", Dreamcloud Sleep and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, contributors disclaim any warranty of the information contained herein. Please contact support@dreamcloud.com to report any errors, omissions, misinformation, or abuse.
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