Have you ever noticed how you instantly feel energized and ready to take on the world when you draw the curtains in the morning? That is the natural effect that bright light has on our bodies, helping us wake up and become more alert. It is also the reason why we feel more chirpy and happier when the sun is out shinning during a warm, sunny day.
But, come sundown, our bodies need reduced exposure to bright light in order to go into sleep mode. Exposure to artificial light that is similar to the sun’s natural light keeps us awake for longer, leading to tiredness, fatigue, and inability to sleep well. This is also because bright light suppresses melatonin production, which is the hormone that tells our body it’s time to hit the sack.
If you’ve been having trouble sleeping or struggling with insomnia, it could very well be because of exposure to the wrong type of light. Let’s see how we can fix that.
Types of Light Bulbs for Night Lamps
Instead of opting for the usual light bulbs, we use around the house; you should try out these for your night lamps. They offer subtly, relaxing light that encourages our bodies to relax and helps us fall asleep faster.
Incandescent Light Bulbs
These light bulbs are the most commonly used ones, mostly due to their price point. They are inexpensive and offer a diffused, warm light that can easily last over 1000 hours. While they aren’t too energy efficient, they do have the added advantage of being easily available in stores and hardware marts around the country.
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
Despite being a rather popular choice for night lamps, our lighting experts at A Lamp and Fixture recommend avoiding fluorescent light bulbs in the bedroom. These bulbs give off massive amounts of blue light, which is known to interfere with sleep and keep you wide awake for longer. If you have no other options available, try to turn off your night lamps with compact fluorescent bulbs at least an hour before you head to bed. This allows you to limit your exposure to blue light so you can fall asleep easily.
Red Bulbs
We saved the best for the end; red light will be your absolute best friend if you’re facing trouble falling asleep. Let’s get into the science behind it. The wavelength of red light stimulates melatonin production; yes, that’s the sleep hormone we mentioned earlier. Increased amounts of melatonin swimming in your blood put your body into relaxation mode and make your mind groggy. Both of these properties combine to help you sleep faster and for longer, so you wake up feeling refreshed.
Light Up Your Bedroom
Having night lamps on your bedside table is a beautiful way of decorating your bedroom and adding some subtle shades of light. It can accentuate your furniture and create a relaxing aura in the room. If you’re looking for experts to further guide you on the best types of light bulbs for your bedroom, reach out to our experienced designers here.
