Nowadays, the average person operates on a schedule so packed that we barely look up from our phones and take a deep breath. It’s no wonder that sleep disorders impact 70 million Americans 1 . With racing minds all day and endless blue light, which signals to the body that it’s time to be awake, it makes sense that sleep is hard to come by for many people.

At the same time, poor sleep is not a minor inconvenience to shrug off — it can be the culprit behind mental health problems like depression and anxiety and physical health challenges such as high blood pressure. Learn more about the importance of sleep and discover how red light therapy with Light Lounge could help improve sleep .

The Importance of Sleep

Whether you struggle to fall asleep initially or you wake up countless times throughout the night, missing out on a restful sleep night after night can have serious consequences. The most obvious consequence: feeling exhausted or drowsy all day. Not only is this unpleasant, but exhaustion can interfere with work performance, relationships, and even your ability to operate a vehicle properly. Ongoing lack of sleep is associated with the following ramifications:

  • Lower sex drive
  • Weakened immune system
  • Weight gain
  • High blood pressure
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

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    Sleep plays a crucial role in keeping you healthy by decreasing oxidative stress throughout the body. Without it, the body is less able to perform functions around healing, immunity and more.

    Common Sleep Struggles

    It's easier to be your best self after a great night's sleep. Unfortunately, a wide range of conditions can interfere with sleep, including:

    • Chronic pain
    • Insomnia
    • Sleep apnea
    • Stress
    • Narcolepsy

    These and other conditions and environmental factors, like excessive blue light exposure in the evening, can subtract from your necessary nightly hours of shut-eye.

    Red Light Therapy and Sleep

    Most people understand that sleep is essential. Nearly everyone wants to get a great night's sleep every night. Unfortunately, there aren't many treatments available to help with sleep besides sleeping pills. Shying away from sleeping pills is understandable, thanks to their possible side effects. Fortunately, an additional treatment option is available for those ready to sleep better.

    Red light therapy applies light at a specific wavelength to the body. This light works beyond the skin to stimulate cellular energy production and reduce oxidative stress. By reducing oxidative stress, red light therapy offers a variety of benefits that may improve sleep, such as:

    • Reducing pain and inflammation. This red light therapy benefit is the most impactful for those who toss and turn all night trying to escape physical pain. Red light therapy has been shown to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
    • Improving melatonin levels. Melatonin is the sleep hormone; red light therapy helps the body produce and release more.
    • Supporting the circadian rhythm. Whether you're fighting jet lag or exposed to too much blue light (like phone screens), a red light therapy session can help restore your circadian rhythm to its ideal state.
    • Enhancing circulation. With healthier blood flow, the body can better relax and recharge.