Lighting Science : Sleep Better with a Smartphone’s Mimicry of Natural Light

The best energizer in the world is all around us. It's the 100% natural, blue-spectrum light produced by the sun. Blue wavelength light syncs with various bio-processes to keep us awake, energetic, and alert. Unfortunately, conventional incandescent bulbs generate blue light non-stop. In the evening, this means unwanted wakefulness and probable sleep disruption. Convinced that even a little blue light can wreak havoc with sleep patterns, Apple has developed a unique solution for its mobile devices - the Night Shift feature.

Integrated with Apple's next-generation iOS 9.3 operating system, Night Shift automatically adjusts the screen color of iPods and phones to coincide with different day parts. At sunset, screen lighting modulates from energizing blue wavelengths to warmer, sleep-friendlier oranges and reds. At sunrise, the feature switches screen lighting back to bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed blue. How does Night Shift know when it's time to shift into a new shade? The feature incorporates an advanced geo-location system linked with an internal clock.

Night Shift is a definite plus for the throngs of people glued to their phones and iPods at bedtime. With this feature keeping time, sneaking a last peak at Facebook or devouring another chapter from an eBook won't cause sleep-delay.

The development of Night Shift is the culmination of Apple's ongoing research in the area of screen lighting. Previously, the company had addressed natural lighting's effect on sleep with its books app, which can automatically shift from black-on-white to white-on-black text after a specified time.

According to the company: 'Many studies have shown that exposure to bright blue light in the evening can affect your circadian rhythms and make it harder to fall asleep.' Apple believes that Night Shift will help maintain normal sleep patterns following use of an iPhone or iPod.

Now, if a few inches of Smartphone screen can generate enough blue light to disrupt sleep, imagine the damage inflicted by your home's larger, brighter, more numerous incandescent bulbs. As stated earlier, conventional bulbs generate blue light 'round the clock. Great during the day when you want to be on your toes. But at night, a house full of blue wavelengths sends your circadian system a loud and clear message - it's daytime! Even though the owls are hooting. The result is biological conflict - your eyes stay open while your body screams for slumber. And you'll feel it the next day, particularly at school or work.

When grades dip and production drops, you always can blame the bulbs. Or you can try biologically-correct LED light bulbs from Lighting Science. Engineered to sync with circadian rhythms, Lighting Science LED bulbs enable you to create the right color balance throughout the daily 24-hour cycle. From sunrise to sunset, you're enveloped in the light nature intended. Blue light predominates during the daytime; warm oranges and reds, at night. Net result - you sleep, work, play, and feel better.