The Ideal Light Colour for Sleep: Why It Matters as Much as Your Mattress
Selecting the right colour of light for sleep is just as important as choosing a comfortable mattress or setting the right room temperature. Many people prefer to sleep with some form of light for various reasons, such as:
Comfort and relaxation
Reducing fear of the dark
Safely moving around at night without tripping
Taking short naps instead of deep sleep
Using night lights for children
Different types of light can significantly affect your sleep quality and overall well-being. It's not only about colour-the kind of light also matters. LED lighting is an excellent option thanks to its energy efficiency, long lifespan, and adaptability compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.
Read on to discover the benefits of sleeping with light and which colour is best for improving your sleep.
Benefits of Sleeping with a Light On
Sleeping with light offers several advantages, including:
Regulating your circadian rhythm to help you fall asleep more easily
Easing anxiety for those afraid of the dark or needing a sense of safety
Helping people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) through light exposure
Supporting shift workers in regulating irregular sleep patterns
Promoting 7+ hours of sleep, which aids hormone release, digestion, healthy eating, and body temperature control
Which Colours Help You Sleep?
If you're wondering what the best colour is for sleep, research suggests red and amber light are most effective for inducing relaxation and drowsiness.
Red Light
Red light mirrors the calming tones of a sunset. With its longer wavelength, it carries less energy than blue or green light, helping your body wind down. Adding red LED bulbs to your bedroom can ease tension and even help regulate your sleep cycle.
Amber Light
Amber or soft yellow light resembles gentle candlelight. While it blocks blue light and offers adequate brightness, it may not be as sleep-inducing as red light. That said, it's a great alternative if you find red light too distracting or visually unappealing.
Combining Red and Amber Light
For optimal results, use both amber and red LED lights at home. Install amber overhead lighting to minimize blue light exposure during the evening, and switch to red light as you prepare for bed. This combination can help you relax and improve sleep quality.
Which Light Colours Should You Avoid?
Blue light is the least suitable for sleep. It mimics daylight and signals your brain to stay alert-making it harder to wind down. Common sources include smartphones, laptops, TVs, and fluorescent bulbs. Green light has a similar stimulating effect.
To improve sleep, try to avoid blue and green light before bed. Stay away from screens 1-2 hours before sleeping, use blue light filters, or enable night mode on your devices.
Looking for more bedroom lighting ideas? Check out our article: 7 Best LED Light Ideas for the Bedroom.
Other Ways to Improve Sleep
Beyond lighting, consider these tips for better sleep:
Stick to a routine: Go to bed and wake up at consistent times to help regulate your internal clock.
Avoid late meals and caffeine: Digestion and stimulants can keep your body active when it should be resting.
Choose supportive bedding: The right mattress and duvet ensure comfort and proper spinal alignment.
Set the room temperature: The World Health Organization recommends sleeping in 18°C–20°C temperatures for optimal body regulation.
Want to learn more? Read our blog-Can You Sleep with LED Lights On?-to discover LED products designed to support better sleep.
Whatever you need, we are more than happy to help provide the lighting solution you need for a decent night's slumber! You can browse our selection of high-quality LED products, or simply get in touch for more information.
You can call us at +86 19972563753 or email us at bwzm12@benweilighting.com
