The Best and Worst Colors for Sleep

By Hannah

Every person’s experience with sleep is different, so managing the challenges can be both frustrating and isolating. But did you know that certain types of light can help you sleep better? That’s right; some colors for sleep are better than others.

Healthline created a helpful guide to the best and worst colors for sleep. Along with discussing different colors of light that can promote sleep, they made a point of including:

  • Best colors for sleep
  • Studies that examine the effects of light
  • Habits that may help you sleep better
  • Worst colors for sleep

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple… can you guess what the good and bad sleep colors might be?

Colors affect people in very different ways according to age, gender, background, climate, and personal preference. However, when it comes to color and mood, there is a general consensus among interior designers and psychologists alike.

Blue, green and purple are cool colors. They calm and soothe us because they remind us of grass, water and sky. Red, orange and yellow are warm colors. They wake us up and stimulate our brain because they remind us of sunshine and fire.

But wait! Those are paint colors; not colored light sources. Surprisingly, when it comes to light waves, the opposite may be true! That’s why warmer colors are recommended in night lights for healthy sleep.

It’s well-documented that blue light can have a negative impact on your sleep quality. Electronic screens, LED lights, and fluorescent lights all contain blue light so they are a no-no at bed time.

Exposure to green and purple light could also potentially hinder your ability to fall asleep, but more research is needed to fully understand their effects.

There is some evidence that red light may actually induce sleepiness. More human research is needed to back this theory, but it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try. At least a red light won’t blind you and will preserve your night vision if you have to get up in the dark. That itself would explain why red lighting doesn’t disrupt sleep: it won’t fool your eyes – or your brain – into thinking it’s daylight.

We do know that amber lighting is best for bedtime reading. Amber lights produce a warm color light, similar to candlelight, free from the blue wavelengths that can disrupt healthy sleep patterns. Studies suggest that the use of amber light at night can result in up to an hour more sleep per night!

Since pink light is made up of a combination of red and purple light waves, it could also be beneficial. However, there’s no research backing the claim at this time.

Use the Healthline guide to determine if certain light colors may help you sleep better. Here is the link:

https://www.healthline.com/health/best-color-light-for-sleep

Share this article on social media in case you have friends and family members who might be looking for ways to encourage healthy sleep. 🙂

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