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My medium/low tech solution was to get LED lightbulbs than can dim and turn red while also downloading apps like f.lux which likewise turn my monitor dim and re
by BitwiseFool 4y ago
My medium/low tech solution was to get LED lightbulbs than can dim and turn red while also downloading apps like f.lux which likewise turn my monitor dim and red shifted. The idea was to switch my environment to a darkroom about two hours before my bed time. I figured that low light would still allow me to see while allowing my biology to start the nighttime wind-down process. I was inspired by the lighting in film processing, figuring that low red light allows people to see while not chemically interacting with the pigments sensitive to visible light. So it seemed like it might also work the same way on the light sensing cells responsible for circadian rhythms.
The result is that I start to feel tired naturally while also avoiding the psychological tug of wanting to stay up later and later. Trying to immediately disconnect from my bright screens is difficult, but if I feel like I am gradually and naturally getting more tired in a dark room, it's not the same and I much more readily disconnect. Sometimes I even go to bed early because I feel satisfied with my time wasting.
I highly recommend other people give this method a shot.
- the__alchemist 4y agoConcur. Color and brightness-changing LED bulbs make a big difference. Google passive-aggressively reminding me on my phone to set a consistent bed time doesn't mitigate the reality of a changing work cycle.
- actionablefiber 4y agoI did the exact same thing with the exact same source of inspiration! Worked wonders.
- yowlingcat 4y agoAny preferred brands on LED lightbulbs? Have gotten good mileage just out of f.lux for roughly the same reasons, would be glad to take it to the next level.
- BitwiseFool 4y agoI'm using Philips Hue, and I'm quite satisfied with them. That being said, I know there are way more options to choose from now compared to when I bought these bulbs about three years ago. I'd recommend checking out a local lighting supply store and playing around with the options. Best Buy and Lowe's carry smart lights but I think they're starting to only carry one or two brands. You'll get more exposure from a specialty LED supplier.
- simcop2387 4y agoI personally use some home depot branded zigbee bulbs myself. They only do the white temp changing and not rgb but they work rather well in my lamps and other fixtures. I use Home Assistant to do it but I suspect it could be done with any smart home system that supports zigbee lights.
- oinj 4y ago
- brnt 4y agoIt amazes me that so many people don't instinctively know that artificial light is tiring. I use as little as possible of it. If it's dark, it's dark. It's not something we need to fear (anymore).
- simcop2387 4y agoI did the same thing once I started really playing with Home Assistant. There's a wonderful little add-on/integration/whatever name you use now called Adaptive Lighting that can use those kinds of bulbs to change the temperature automatically as the day goes on (either fixed times, or with the sun). Not only do I not have to do it myself but I have them all timed with f.lux (and other computer and phone versions) so that it just all happens without me noticing. I can't say I notice a huge difference in my sleep but it does end up making all the lighting more pleasant all the time since it'll match (as close as you can) with sunlight during the day around noon and then start setting with the sun until it's about as red as everything can go after sundown. https://community.home-assistant.io/t/new-adaptive-lighting-integration/243788 https://community.home-assistant.io/t/new-adaptive-lighting-...