The Effects Of Blue Screens On Our Health

Increases Risk For Conditions

Exposure to blue light at night also increases risk for conditions such as depression cancer, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Our natural circadian rhythms allow time for our bodies to rest and rejuvenate. During sleep, our cells regenerate; our blood pressure drops and our breathing slows, giving our hard-working systems a chance to relax. Some research even suggests our brains use sleep time to develop new pathways for learning and memory. By disrupting our natural rhythms, blue light disrupts all of these essential processes. Exposure to blue light at night can have other physical effects as well. For example, a Harvard study found shifts in our natural circadian rhythms can cause our blood sugar levels rise to a prediabetic state, while lowering levels of leptin, a hormone that helps us to feel full after a meal.