The Shocking Reason You Can’t Sleep
By
Natalie Moore
Posted August 2, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
These days, it seems like everything comes on a screen — the news, your plane tickets and even your bank statements.
And while all of these electronic conveniences may make your life a little easier, they could destroying your health.
Because Texas scientists have just found that the weird blue light emitted from your digital devices can wreck your sleep and set you up for some serious health problems.
Fortunately, there’s an easy, cheap way to block this dangerous light and get the deep sleep you deserve.
Blue light-blocking glasses are the dead-simple solution I’m talking about. And they can help you get your Zzz’s because they shield you from the damage done by artificial light.
You see, blue light is so dangerous because it disrupts our circadian rhythm. Any interruption in this 24-hour cycle can greatly decrease melatonin levels, a hormone key for good sleep.
And research tells us that without good, restful sleep, we can become sitting ducks for deadly illnesses like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, dementia and even depression.
Because of this, scientists from the University Of Houston College Of Optometry were curious to see if blocking blue light could help preserve your melatonin levels and help you get the sleep you need.
For the study, researchers had participants wear blue light-blocking glasses 3 hours before bed, while still watching T.V., reading on phones or tablets and even looking at computer screens.
At the end of the two-week trial, the participants saw a whopping 58% bump in their nightly melatonin levels!
Plus, they fell asleep faster and slept longer when they wore the glasses!
Experts believe blue light-blocking glasses are so effective because they help block light from getting to special parts of the eye that can slow melatonin production.
Blue light-blocking glasses look just like regular glasses and are available in all sorts of different frames, including clip-ons for folks who wear glasses.
You can get blue light-blocking glasses online from retailers like amazon.com. Click here to learn more about the pair I use at home.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Sources
[1] Struggle to nod off? Don’t take your phone to bed: Electronic devices reduce sleep-hormone levels
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
The Secret Ingredient to a Longer, Happier Life
Let’s face it. We’re all in need of an attitude adjustment from time to time. After all, when you turn on the news these days, the world can seem pretty dark. That is unless you make it a practice to look for the silver linings. In fact, Harvard researchers say when you do, something quite...
Do You REALLY Need All Those Skincare Products?
I often get questions about skincare products—and here’s what I’ve learned. In today’s beauty-obsessed world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending hundreds every month believing you need countless products to fight aging and achieve healthy, glowing skin. However, many dermatologists argue that LESS is MORE when it comes to skincare. Simplifying your...
“Ebb and Flow” Technique TRANSFORMS Senior Brain Health
You know by now that exercise is good for you. It keeps your heart healthy, your muscles strong, and your waistline trim. But what if I told you that a trendy “ebb and flow” workout technique—often associated with young fitness enthusiasts—could actually be a game-changer for us “oldsters” when it comes to brain health? And...
Mailbag: Slash Your Risk of Bone Fractures as You Age
“My doctor recently told me that I have osteoporosis. What can I do to reduce my risk of fractures and maintain strong bones as I age?” – Margaret Hi Margaret, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I’m sure it was a shock. Osteoporosis is a serious condition that affects millions of people, and it’s not...
Household Favorite EXPOSED as Cancer Risk?
We all want to believe that the products we use daily are safe. After all, if they weren’t, they wouldn’t be on store shelves, right? Well, I hate to break it to you, but sometimes, the truth is far more alarming than we’d like to admit. The World Health Organization (WHO) has just dropped a...
Hidden Heatwave Threat REVEALED
Heat waves can have serious consequences. After all, staying cool isn’t just a comfort issue. When the mercury soars, it threatens your health—especially when you’re a senior. There are various reasons for this, including chronic medical conditions and bodies that just don’t regulate temperature as well as they once did. But there’s another heat-linked threat...
The Hidden Threat Behind Your Achy Joints
Picture this… You’re trying to enjoy a leisurely stroll in the park, but each step sends a jolt of pain through your knee. Or maybe you’re attempting to open a stubborn jar lid, only to have your fingers refuse to cooperate, leaving you feeling frustrated and helpless. Perhaps you’re simply trying to get out of...
Parkinson's Signs You Can't Afford to Miss
Imagine waking up one day to find your body betraying you. Your hands tremble as you try to button your shirt. Your feet shuffle when you want to walk with purpose. Once strong and clear, your voice now barely reaches above a whisper. This is the reality for those living with Parkinson’s. But what if...
Do Protein Needs Drop with Age? The SURPRISING Answer
I had a patient ask me the other day if they needed as much protein now as when they were younger. After all, we aren’t quite as active as seniors compared to when we were spring chickens. It’s a good question. And the answer might surprise you… Remember when you could devour a whole pizza...
Follow Your “Gut Feeling” to Reduce Diabetes Risk
It seems like every day we learn something new about the incredible influence our gut has on our overall health. From mood to immunity, and even to how well we sleep, the community of microbes in our digestive tract is pulling the strings behind the scenes. So, it should come as no surprise that researchers...