BLUE LIGHT THERAPY IMPROVES SLEEP IN OLDER ADULTS

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BLUE LIGHT THERAPY IMPROVES SLEEP IN OLDER ADULTS








   

Want better sleep as you age? The answer might be as simple as changing your light bulbs.

A fascinating new study from the University of Surrey has discovered something that could help millions of older adults sleep better: blue-enriched light. Think of it as sunlight's close cousin – it tricks your body into thinking it's getting more natural daylight, and that's a very good thing.

This discovery is interesting because our sleep tends to go haywire as we age. We toss and turn at night, wake up at dawn (whether we want to or not), and sometimes feel like quality sleep is becoming a distant memory. It's not just aging—our eyes change over time, letting in less natural light. Add to that fewer outdoor activities and more time spent under artificial lighting, and you have a recipe for sleep problems.

But there's hope. The Surrey team worked with 36 over 60 adults, giving them unique lights to use at home. These weren't your average bulbs—they tested regular and blue-enriched white light. The participants used these lights for four hours each day over nearly three months, while researchers tracked their sleep and activity using wearables and sleep diaries.

Here's the critical part: timing matters a lot. Morning exposure to blue-enriched light worked wonders. People moved more during the day, stuck to more consistent sleep schedules, and slept better. But using it in the evening was like drinking coffee before bed, making falling asleep harder and leading to more restless nights.

Dr. Daan Van Der Veen, who led the study at Surrey, says, "We've found a powerful tool for better sleep that doesn't come in pill form." This approach is unique in that it works with the body's natural rhythms, not against them.

What makes this study particularly exciting is that it focused on older adults living independently at home, not in care facilities. As researcher Débora Constantino points out, this could be a game-changer for aging adults who want to improve their sleep without taking medication. It's accessible, affordable, and – most importantly – it works.

So, if you're over 60 and struggling with sleep, the solution might be as straightforward as changing when and how you expose yourself to light. 


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