Red Light Therapy for Sleep - Can it Help?
If you suffer from poor sleep quality, don’t think you’re alone. Sleep issues, particularly insomnia, have become quite common. In fact, according to the American Sleep Association, approximately 30% of Americans experience acute insomnia, and 10% suffer from chronic insomnia. Lack of sleep can lead to various health problems.
Can red light therapy improve sleep?
Scientific studies have shown that red light therapy for sleep is actually effective as it can positively impact melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, and it is essential for promoting a good night's sleep.
According to a study in China, red and NIR light have been shown to increase melatonin produced by the body. Researchers found increased melatonin in blood circulation following red light therapy exposure which helped improve sleep quality and duration.
Another study conducted 2012 evaluated the effects of red light therapy on a group of female basketball players. Subjects in the treatment group were administered 30 minutes of red light therapy every night for 14 days compared to the placebo group, which received no treatment. Those in the treatment group saw a significant increase in sleep quality and serum melatonin levels.
It's interesting to note that red light therapy helps to realign your circadian rhythm with the patterns of the sun, making you feel more tired in the evenings and more awake in the morning when the sun rises. Likewise, red light therapy can help you relax and wind down in the evening, producing deeper and more restful sleep.
When used at night, red light therapy has an extensive list of amazing benefits such as:
-
* Helps you naturally de-stress and wind down in the evenings
-
* Assists with circadian rhythm sleep disorder and insomnia
-
* Promotes more of the sleep hormone, melatonin
-
* Promotes relaxation and enhances circulation
What is the best red light therapy to help with sleep?
Here are some red light therapy devices to choose from:
Portable red light - If you are a person who travels a lot or if you want to try red light therapy first, this one is for you. You can put it on your bedside table and use as an ambient light and it will help you fall asleep and have better sleep quality. It is small enough to fit inside your bag and rechargeable so it’s convenient to bring anywhere you go.
Medium red light 600w - If you’re looking for a more powerful light and one that may cover a larger treatment area, this is the one for you. You may hang it up or place it on your bedside table as well and. It has built-in LED dual chips that emit one of the highest irradiance with 180 mw/cm2 at a distance of 3 inches but at a very affordable price for its power.
Full red light 1200w - You may hang it up against the wall or at the back of your door but make sure that the light reaches your body. The coverage area is big enough that you may sit or lie comfortably in front of it. With its high power, this device delivers 213 mw/cm2 at a distance of 6 inches, which is higher than the rest of the devices in the market - this is definitely worth every penny.
