LED lights are more efficient, durable and versatile in comparison to traditional incandescent bulbs – but can you sleep with LED lights on?
Many people sleep with some form of light on for a variety of reasons, which may include:
- children who need a nightlight
- fear of total darkness
- a light to prevent falls when getting up in the night
- the need for a nap rather than a deep sleep
- general comfort reasons
LED bulbs are becoming more and more popular in our homes and in our commercial spaces too. You’ll find it in our electronics, our cars, and in our outdoor spaces (streetlights, garden lights, and security lights etc.). But should it be part of your, or your child’s, bedtime routine? Before we answer that, let’s take a quick look at some of the key features of LED lighting.
Key features of LED lights
LED bulbs are:
- energy-efficient with less electricity use compared to incandescent or halogen lights
- cost-effective over time
- long lasting with 25,000+ hours or more
- durable and resistant to impact
- low heat emitters
- instant lighters with no warm-up time
- versatile as you can choose from a range of styles, shapes and changing colours
- environmentally friendly as they consume less energy
- are dimmable in most cases allowing for greater control
There are many benefits to be had from LED lighting. From an energy use and safety perspective, there is no reason why you cannot sleep with LED lights on. They are more energy efficient compared to traditional light sources and contain no harmful substances. It won’t cost you an arm and a leg to power them each night, and you can choose a colour to suit the mood and ambience of your room.
Should you sleep with LED lights on?
As mentioned above, generally speaking, yes you can sleep with LED light bulbs on. They will not cause you any harm or pose any danger. You can leave them on around the clock without creating a fire hazard as they generate very little heat.
However, as with all lighting sources and equipment, using them all night can have some negative impacts on the quality of your sleep. So it’s perhaps not a question of can you sleep with LED lights on, but more if you should.
Quality of sleep
Any form of light that’s on while you sleep will affect the hormones and functions that control your sleep cycle in your brain. Melatonin is the name of the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycles, and its production is influenced by light exposure. Too much can suppress melatonin production, making it harder to fall and/or stay asleep.
Having a light on in your sleep can:
- prolong the time it takes for you to fall asleep
- lower your quality of sleep
- cause insomnia
- waste electricity, especially if using incandescent bulbs
All of this can confuse or negatively affect your circadian rhythm, leading to disrupted sleep patterns, difficulty waking up, and feeling tired during the day. Lack of sleep has also been linked to various health issues such as increased risk of depression, obesity, heart attacks and even certain types of cancer.
Recommendations for sleeping better with LED lights on
We hope we have provided an answer for the question of whether you can sleep with LED lights on. You are safe to do so, but be mindful of how it affects your sleep. If you still choose to go ahead and leave a light on at night, we have some tips on how to have a better sleep doing so.
Keep brightness to a minimum
The lower the brightness of your LED light, the less impact it will have on your sleep. You can opt for a delicate candle-type LED light bulb for a more relaxed and comfortable ambience. Alternatively, choose LED lights with a dimmer so you have more control, and try to set it to the lowest level at least an hour before you go to sleep.
Choose red coloured LED lights and avoid white or blue
If possible, choose LED light bulbs with colour and preferably red. Red light encourages sleepiness whilst blue and white light (much like daylight) stimulates wakefulness. Red light has a wavelength that promotes sleep by increasing the brain’s secretion of melatonin and glutathione. This relaxes your mind and your muscles.
Limit your light intake from other sources before bed
Electronic devices, phone screens, tablet screens, and computers all emit light and stimulate your brain. Using social media and other apps also stimulates brain activity. For this reason, it is generally advised that you avoid using these things when it comes close to your bedtime. If you must use a light at night, it is advised to avoid light exposure from any other sources leading up to the time when you want to go to sleep.
Consider sleeping with an eye mask on
Now this may defeat the object of you sleeping with a light on in the first place, for example if you have a fear of the dark. But if this isn’t the case, an eye mask could be the perfect compromise between sleeping with the light on or off. They are cheap, comfortable, and effective at blocking out light. It’s a win-win, you can keep your LED lights on and maintain good quality sleep.
Looking for a new LED lighting solution? Have a look at our products or contact us today!
Here at Vision Lighting, we are proud to boast a wide range of LED products, accessories, power supplies, and much, more. This includes a selection of LED bulbs, including our common GLS A60 bulbs and highly efficient GU10 bulbs
If you are looking for a new LED light solution for your domestic or commercial property, we are more than happy to help. You can browse our range of high-quality LED lighting solutions, or simply get in touch for some more help or information. You can call us on +44 (0) 1132 799745 or email us at info@vision-lighting.co.uk.