The importance of darkness is not something many of us think about, but it's becoming abundantly clear just how much our bodies need it.
Dr. Courtney Hunt with Desert Jewel Wellness in Scottsdale says when you look at a blue light after dark, it turns off your body's ability to make melatonin which is the hormone responsible for deep sleep.
Blue light can come from a variety of sources like our phones, tablets, computers, televisions or household LED lights.
Medical studies have shown that blue light disrupts our circadian rhythm (our body's internal clock) and that could lead to health issues.
A report published in 2016 by the American Medical Association showed, "a long-term increase in the risk for cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity from chronic sleep disruption or shiftwork and associated with exposure to brighter light sources in the evening or night."
So what can we do to protect ourselves?
Dr. Hunt recommends getting blue blocking glasses and wearing them whenever you are in front of a screen, especially if you are working on your computer or tablet at night.
You can also use apps like f.lux on your devices that change the color temperature of the screen.
