Something to help me sleep

I think I've finally found something that helps me get to sleep and stay asleep. Because of another medical problem, I sit and watch a lot of TV and do computer work, especially at night. I've recently tried some blue blocking glasses during the last 2 hours before I go to bed, and I've been falling asleep more quickly and sleeping more soundly. Blue light from electrical devices is supposed to mess with the sleeping process, so I decided to try the blue blockers and it does have a positive effect on me.

I thought this was going to be about drugs etc. Sorry, this will be a little diversion, but relevant anyway: Basically blue blocker glasses shift the emitted light spectrum towards the red end of the scale. Along those lines, both my Kindle and my laptop have setup options to change the balance of the LED light emitted well towards the red end of the spectrum. It helps my eyes feel better after a long day and I sleep more soundly too. I also have 2000 books of fiction/non-fiction in epub format and often use Cool Reader which has infinitely adjustable background shades - I love that feature. In the last several months I've discovered my nightly reading extends up to four hours - that's TWO more hours than before when I was only reading paper editions. (I don't watch much TV) Also, with both Kindle and Cool Reader, the text size is easy adjustable to larger/huge font sizes, I'm not going to reveal those specifics because it's kind of embarrassing

Look into the free f.lux software to adjust the color temperature of your computer displays automatically depending on the time of day: https://justgetflux.com/

For linux users, in addition to the official f.lux linux software, there is redshift at: http://jonls.dk/redshift/ It may already be in the repository for your favorite linux distribution.

I use a soft white kindle for reading also if I read before sleeping. I suppose I could change the color on my computer, but I like to see the regular colors most of the time. I find that when I use the glasses, everything white looks yellow and everything blue looks green because the glasses have a yellow tint. So periodically I have to look take them off to see what the real colors on TV are. Otherwise everyone looks like they are jaundiced!

Try the software - I think you will be surprised! The change in color temperature is very gradual throughout the day and night. It's very easy to get used to.

If you give it just a little time for adjustment, you may find that you like it a lot! You don't even need to tweak it unless you want to - just install it, enable it, and it works automatically.

Nin6,

Another advantage of the blue blockers is it protects your eyes from the harmful UV rays. Macular degeneration runs in my family and is attributed to the breakdown of the pigment in the eye's macula. UV rays are one of the main culprits to this pigment loss. The other being a lack of nutrients.

I use a pair of blockers at work (they cost like $10) as I'm on the computer all day long. I do notice less eye strain when using them.