Can Blue Light Help Us Think More Positively About Ourselves?
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Have you ever noticed that you feel better during a sunny day or when you're surrounded by bright lights? It turns out, there's some science behind this feeling. A new study has found that blue light—like the kind we get from the sun or screens—can actually help reduce negative thoughts about ourselves.
What Is Blue Light?
Blue light is a type of light that has a short wavelength. It’s all around us—sunlight has it, and so do the screens of our phones, tablets, and computers. Blue light affects how we feel and how alert we are. It helps regulate our sleep and mood through something called non-visual photoreception, which is how our eyes detect light even when we’re not "seeing" it.
The Study in Simple Terms
In the study, 35 young adults were asked to decide whether different words like "terrible" or "good" described them. This task was done under two different types of light: one rich in blue light and one with very little blue light. Each person completed the task twice—once under each light condition.
What Did They Find?
When people were exposed to blue light, they were more likely to say "no" to negative words like “terrible” or “dumb.” In other words, they were less likely to think bad things about themselves under blue light. However, blue light didn’t make them more likely to say "yes" to positive words like “joyful” or “gentle.”
Why Does This Happen?
Blue light stimulates special cells in our eyes that are connected to parts of the brain that control mood and self-image. This process can reduce activity in brain areas linked with sadness and negative thinking. In technical terms, the brain finds it easier to reject negative thoughts under blue light—it’s like a mental boost that helps us say, “No, I’m not terrible.”
What About Reaction Time?
The study also looked at how quickly people made decisions. Under blue light, people made quicker and more confident choices when rejecting negative words. This means that blue light not only helped them feel better but also helped their brains process those feelings faster.
What This Means for Everyday Life
This research suggests that simply changing the lighting around us might help us feel better—especially if we’re struggling with negative self-talk. While blue light has gotten a bad reputation for messing with our sleep when used at night, it could be useful during the day to boost our mood and self-esteem.
Here are some practical tips:
- Get sunlight early in the day. Natural light is the best source of blue light and can help wake up your brain and improve your mood.
- Use bright, white light while working. If you work in dim spaces, consider using light bulbs that emit blue-enriched light during the day.
- Limit screen time at night. Blue light is good in the morning, but too much of it late at night can mess with your sleep.
- Take light breaks. Step outside or sit by a window during breaks—it could be more powerful than a cup of coffee!
Final Thoughts
We often think of mood as something that comes from within, but this study reminds us that our environment—especially light—can have a powerful effect. While more research is needed, especially in people with depression, the idea that blue light can help reduce negative thoughts is promising. So next time you’re feeling down, let the light in—literally!