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1. tlarkw+(OP)[view] [source] 2023-10-12 18:31:20
I totally don't understand what I gain with colored lights. My friend had a similar setup and I just don't get the attraction. I have a Google home and setting timers has a clear value, I forget less. Playing music has clear value, I relax. Colored lights??? I don't get it.
replies(5): >>Symmet+1a >>xoa+Za >>IanCal+wd >>fragme+nn >>tippyt+Zj1
2. Symmet+1a[view] [source] 2023-10-12 19:08:39
>>tlarkw+(OP)
High color temperature in the morning to wake you up versus low temperature in the night to let you get to sleep quickly is the main benefit.
3. xoa+Za[view] [source] 2023-10-12 19:13:12
>>tlarkw+(OP)
>I totally don't understand what I gain with colored lights. My friend had a similar setup and I just don't get the attraction. I have a Google home and setting timers has a clear value, I forget less. Playing music has clear value, I relax. Colored lights??? I don't get it.

While the effect no doubt varies with individual, there has been a significant amount of studies suggesting that there is some link between bright light in shorter wavelengths (so blue end of spectrum) and melatonin suppression, and in turn circadian rhythms [ex: 0, 1, 2]. If you live near the equator with consistent sunrise/sunset year round artificial light management may be less of a concern to you, but the further you are and the more seasonal variation you experience the more helpful it may be (and is for me) to have lighting throughout home/work that can help maintain circadian rhythm as desired. "Sunrise" into bright white/blue in the morning and day, then slowly changing into dimmer, redder light as one approaches the desired time to go to sleep. YMMV of course but as someone in tech who had decades of difficulty in maintaining a normal 24h cycle in the northern latitudes, heavy light brightness and temperature control has been a very significant improvement in my QOL and I never want to go back.

Of course, some people just enjoy having fun with lighting as well, for parties and mood and such. "Painting with light" can be interesting by itself. But for me the practical advantages have been significant value for the cost, and without any need for any kind of drugs or other mechanisms.

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0: https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-blue-light

1: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-ha...

2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9424753/

4. IanCal+wd[view] [source] 2023-10-12 19:24:02
>>tlarkw+(OP)
Other than fun, being able to shift lights in the kids bedrooms to a more yellow hue for storytime then a dark red for a nightlight has been good.
replies(1): >>brewda+Cv
5. fragme+nn[view] [source] 2023-10-12 20:05:24
>>tlarkw+(OP)
they're fun! they help set the mood, so the living room changes from an office space vibe to a campfire vibe to a cool outer space feel. it's goes beyond strictly utilitarian uses but you have to have emotions to get use out of that feature.
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6. brewda+Cv[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-10-12 20:49:19
>>IanCal+wd
When my teen would be up in his room with headphones on, I would flash the bedroom lights remotely from downstairs. That was his cue to come downstairs for dinner or so we could figure out our weekly schedule or whatever.
7. tippyt+Zj1[view] [source] 2023-10-13 03:05:46
>>tlarkw+(OP)
I have a bladerunner/Tokyo nights mode I can put my apartment in, I love it.
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