1. WE’RE SURROUNDED BY IT
Contrary to the rumours, blue light isn’t only emitted by your mobile phone, tablet, TV or computer screen – it’s all around us and the main source is actually sunlight. All those rays flooding down from the sky are comprised of a rainbow spectrum of colours, ranging from invisible ultra-violet (UV) light on one end, to infra-red on the other – and blue light is a large component of this. In fact, blue light makes up approximately one third of all light visible to the human eye. It’s also the reason the sky’s blue – we’ve all wondered about that, right?
2. IT TESTS YOUR EYES
Because blue light has a very short wavelength compared to other colours, it produces a huge amount of energy. Considering how much time we can spend in front screens each day, this means our eyes are being constantly bombarded – which studies suggest can have extremely negative effects. A prime example of this is digital eyestrain – a condition known to cause anything from blurry vision to neck and back pain. But what’s worse is, over time, it could even result in macular degeneration – a far more serious problem, resulting in permanent eye damage and even blindness.
3. IT’S THE ENEMY OF SLEEP
Finding it hard to nod off? Not surprising, because blue light is a known disruptor of sleep. Due to our elevated sensitivity to blue light, it has the annoying ability to interfere with our circadian rhythm (the internal clock responsible for periods of sleepiness and alertness). Naturally, all of us are different and some may be less affected, however there is strong evidence to suggest that surfing on your phone or watching TV right before bed can cause a shift in our circadian clock. In turn, this tricks our brains into falling asleep later. Can’t switch off? Good luck getting up early tomorrow!
4. IT’S NOT ALL BAD
Amidst all the negative press, there are some upsides to blue light. Most notably, it’s been shown to boost alertness, help memory and cognitive functions and even elevate your mood. What’s more, exposure to blue light during the day helps your body maintain a healthy circadian rhythm. So get out there and enjoy the daylight while you can – even if it’s just a short walk during lunch.
5. BLUE LIGHT CAN BE BEATEN!
How, you ask? Well, believe it or not, one easy way is to blink more. The more we focus on our screens, the less likely we are to blink, which causes dry eyes – so blink away! Another solution is to purchase special blue light filters for your phone, tablet and computer screens to minimise the amount of blue light invading your eyes. It pays to protect your skin too, as some studies indicate that blue light could share some off the harmful effects of UV light and cause premature skin ageing. One way to remedy this is to shield your skin with advanced protection such as NovAge Day Shield SPF 50 UVA /PA++++ Advanced Skin Protector. Why take the risk, right?
Last, but not least… and yes, this may sound crazy… you could (and probably should) limit your screen time! Cut back and you could save your youthful skin and eyes in the long run, not to mention get a better night’s sleep.
