Red light is associated with sleepiness. Research indicates that red light increases melatonin production, a hormone crucial for regulating sleep. This makes it a better choice for bedroom lighting compared to blue light, which has the opposite effect.
Why Red Light Promotes Sleep?
Multiple studies show a correlation between red light exposure and increased melatonin levels. Melatonin is a hormone that signals to your body that it's time to sleep. Therefore, red light exposure can help facilitate the transition to sleep. [This is supported by research mentioned across multiple sources, including Axolight, Sleep Foundation, and Benq.](https://www.axolight.us/what-color-light-helps-you-sleep/, https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/what-color-helps-you-sleep, https://www.benq.com/en-us/knowledge-center/knowledge/what-led-color-helps-you-sleep.html)
- Increased Melatonin: Red light triggers increased melatonin production.
- Improved Sleep Onset: This increase in melatonin can lead to easier sleep onset for many individuals.
- Contrast to Blue Light: In contrast, blue light, often emitted from electronic devices, suppresses melatonin production, making it difficult to fall asleep.
However, while red light shows promise, further research is needed to fully understand its impact on sleep. As noted by Healthline, more research is needed to confirm these effects.
Other Colors and Their Effect on Sleep
While red is highlighted as beneficial, other colors may influence sleep indirectly through their psychological effects:
- Warm Colors (Yellow, Orange): These colors are generally associated with feelings of warmth, comfort, and relaxation, potentially creating a more conducive environment for sleep. As mentioned by Sleep Foundation, warmer hues are preferable to cooler ones.
- Blue: Although often associated with calmness, blue light is detrimental to sleep due to its effect on melatonin production. [Various sources, including Axolight and Reddit discussions, highlight the negative impact of blue light on sleep.](https://www.axolight.us/what-color-light-helps-you-sleep/, https://www.reddit.com/r/lifx/comments/fl23yz/i_read_somewhere_that_the_red_color_is_best_for/)
It's important to remember that individual responses to color can vary. The impact of color on sleep is a complex interaction between light wavelengths, individual sensitivities, and personal associations with color.
