Healthy Lighting

Most of us grew up believing that more light is better. Brighter bulbs, higher lumens, stronger overhead fixtures. And yet anyone who's spent an evening squinting under a glaring light — tired eyes, flattened colors, that low-grade feeling of strain — knows that brightness alone doesn't tell the whole story. So does lighting actually affect your eyesight? Not in a permanent, clinical sense. But the kind of light you're under absolutely shapes how your vision performs — and how much effort it takes to see comfortably. The difference often comes down not to how much light a bulb puts out, but what kind of light it is. Your Eyes Know the Difference You've probably walked into a space and felt at ease without being able to say why. The light felt right — clear, calm, easy. Then there are other rooms, just as bright or brighter, where something is off. You find yourself working harder to focus. Colors look a little flat. Reading after twenty minutes starts to feel like a chore. This isn't imaginary, and it isn't just about lumens. It's about the spectrum — and the visual fatigue that builds when artificial light is unbalanced, too harsh, or heavy in certain wavelengths. That kind of lighting for eye strain is something most people experience regularly without connecting it to the bulb overhead. Glare is part of it too. Glare reduction lighting isn't just a commercial feature — it's a meaningful quality-of-life factor for anyone doing close work for hours at a time. Light that diffuses evenly and reduces harsh reflections simply asks less of your visual system. What Is the Best Light for Your Eyes The best light for your eyes isn’t necessarily the brightest — it’s the one that feels clear, balanced, and easy to be in. Good lighting tends to: reduce glare rather than create it support contrast, so details are easier to distinguish feel steady and natural, not sharp or overstimulating Most people can recognize this intuitively. Some spaces simply feel easier to see in, even if the brightness is similar. That difference often comes down to the quality of the light itself. If you’re specifically looking for recommendations, you can explore our guide on the best light for your eyes. What the Research Shows In 1988, researchers Cohen and Rosenthal published a clinical study in the Journal of Visual Rehabilitation that looked specifically at how light quality — not brightness — affects visual performance. They studied individuals with low vision performing near-point tasks like reading under different lighting conditions. The light source used in the study was the Chromalux® neodymium incandescent bulb itself — not a generic approximation of the technology, but the actual product. The findings were clear: participants didn't need more light. They needed better light. Under the Chromalux® bulbs, participants showed improved near-point visual performance, enhanced contrast perception, and meaningfully reduced glare sensitivity. The improvement didn't come from turning up the wattage. It came from refining the spectrum — filtering out a narrow band of yellow wavelengths (around 570–590nm) that can create visual muddiness and make edges harder to distinguish. That makes this more than a study inspired by the same technology. It's direct clinical evidence of how Chromalux® affects visual performance — published in a peer-reviewed journal, conducted on real participants doing real near-vision tasks. Does lighting affect eyesight in a lasting way? No. But this research suggests it has a measurable effect on how your vision performs in the moment. Full Spectrum Light Benefits — and Why LEDs Feel Different Natural daylight covers the visible spectrum in a smooth, continuous distribution. It's what our eyes evolved under, and it's still what they respond to most comfortably. Most modern LED bulbs don't work that way. They're efficient and long-lasting, but they produce narrow spectral peaks rather than a continuous curve — and for many people, extended time under LED lighting contributes to a subtly harsh or flattening visual experience. When comparing LED vs incandescent for eyes, this spectral difference is often what people are actually noticing, even if they can't name it. The full spectrum light benefits of a more continuous, balanced distribution include more accurate color perception, improved contrast, and a visual environment that simply feels calmer and easier to be in. Chromalux® builds on an incandescent base — which naturally produces a continuous spectrum — and refines it further with neodymium filtration. The goal is to get closer to the kind of light your eyes naturally prefer. Choosing the Best Light for Your Eyes When thinking about which bulbs to use — especially in spaces where you spend concentrated visual time — it helps to know what you're actually looking for. The best light for your eyes tends to share a few qualities: it has a continuous, balanced spectrum rather than sharp spectral peaks; it reduces rather than creates glare; it renders colors accurately so that details are easy to distinguish; and it feels steady and natural rather than sharp or overstimulating. On the LED vs incandescent question for eyes specifically, incandescent options like Chromalux® offer a middle path — the refined spectral quality of neodymium-purified incandescent light, in a format that works for everyday use. They're worth considering for reading chairs, desks, bedside tables, and anywhere else you spend time doing close work. Do light bulbs affect vision permanently? No. But they absolutely affect how your vision performs — and that's something worth paying attention to. The Bottom Line Better lighting doesn't change your eyes. But it changes how your eyes feel — and over the course of a day, that adds up. The research points toward a consistent conclusion: a more balanced, cleaner spectrum reduces visual friction, supports better contrast, and makes everyday tasks like reading measurably more comfortable. Does lighting affect eyesight in a clinical sense? No. Does it shape your daily experience of seeing? Absolutely — and that's a good reason to think carefully about the light you're living under. Explore Chromalux® Full Spectrum Light Bulbs → This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.  

By now, you’ve probably heard that blue light from our screens can mess with sleep—and it’s true. Device screens emit large amounts of high-energy blue light (those short wavelengths in the visible spectrum), so it’s best to limit screen time at night—or at least reduce the amount of blue light they emit (more on that later).  But blue light isn’t all bad. In fact, it plays a key role in setting our internal clock, our circadian rhythm, which affects everything from alertness and mood to hormones and metabolism. Bright, blue-enriched light helps us feel awake and energized during the day. The problem? When we’re exposed to that same light in the evening, it can seriously sabotage our sleep. So, what color light is best for sleep? The answer: red light. Let’s dive into why red light is ideal at night—and how making a simple shift in your evening lighting can help your body wind down, naturally. Because when it comes to sleep, lighting can make all the difference. The Science of Light and Sleep The body’s circadian rhythm operates on a roughly 24-hour cycle, primarily guided by exposure to bright blue light. This rhythm is regulated by the brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a region of the hypothalamus that receives information from light-sensitive cells in the eye. When light—particularly light in the blue spectrum—enters the eye, it signals the SCN to suppress melatonin, the hormone that prepares the body for sleep. At the same time, it supports the release of cortisol, which promotes wakefulness and alertness. This system works well during the day, but at night, continued exposure to blue or bright white light can delay melatonin production and disrupt sleep onset and quality. Why Blue Light Disrupts Sleep Blue light is sleep-disruptive for the same reason you’re told to get natural sunlight first thing every day — it tells the body to wake up!  Natural sunlight, device screens, and bright white or cool white color temperature LED bulbs are very high in blue light, and blue light wavelengths (especially around 480nm) signal your body to suppress melatonin your body to suppress melatonin, the hormone that prepares the body for sleep, while simultaneously increasing the release of cortisol, which promotes wakefulness and alertness. Exposure to these wavelengths after sunset can delay your ability to feel sleepy and negatively affect your sleep overall.  It’s also important to note that even light outside the blue range—if it’s bright enough—can affect melatonin release. This is why both color temperature and brightness matter when selecting evening lighting. Best Colors for Sleep It should come as no surprise, then, if blue light promotes wakefulness in the body, that red light (on the opposite side of the visible spectrum) enhances sleep.  Why Red Light Is Better at Night Red light wavelengths spanning 650-750nm will not suppress the release of melatonin. Any light bulb that doesn’t emit blue light is the best choice for use at night. Red light helps create a more calming environment, helping cue the body and brain that it's time to wind down.  Lighting Tips for Better Sleep To support your natural circadian rhythm and promote better sleep, it’s important to adjust your lighting environment, especially in the evening. Minimize or eliminate sources of white light in the evening, such as device screens and overhead white lights. Keep the brightness of all light at a minimum. Any light, if bright enough, can keep you up!   Turn off overhead lighting Skip the overhead lights. Instead, use table or floor lamps with red or warm white bulbs. Use dim, warm lighting at night. The color temperature of light can give us a clue to which color its spectrum skews more towards - blue (energetic light that is awakening), or red (soothing light that won't suppress melatonin - the sleep hormone). Warm white color temperature lighting (2700K-3500K) skews more towards the orange/red light wavelengths, while daylight white/cool white (5000K and above) skews more towards the blue light wavelengths. We recommend using desk and floor lamps outfitted with warm white light bulbs ( anything 2700K-3500K ) or, our personal favorite - the Chromalux® 60W frosted bulb  Best Low-Blue Light Bulbs to Use at Night Any light that is "low blue" or low in blue lighting will be the best light bulb to use at night. Remember, the best light color to help you sleep is anything "warm" - whether that means warm white LED bulbs or any other technology with a color temperature below 2700K.  We prefer using incandescent light bulbs at night, as they are the healthiest type of light and are naturally warm in color, with a spectrum that leans toward the red end. If you're looking for specific options, here are a few Chromalux® favorites that check all the boxes: For recessed ceiling fixtures: Chromalux® R25 60W flood bulb For bedside lamps: Chromalux® B10 25W Low Wattage Light for Evening or A19 60W frosted incandescent bulbs Best Red Light Bulb to Use at Night The above light bulbs are dim and skew more towards the red end of the spectrum, making them very suitable for evening use. However, for optimal melatonin release and the best sleep possible, you should transition to completely red light bulbs 1-2 hours before bedtime. The majority of red light bulbs for sleep are LED, and while that’s better than nothing, we strongly believe the natural, analog source of incandescence is always best, especially when winding down before bed. Red LED bulbs emit only red light but exhibit an unnatural, isolated spectral spike. In contrast, incandescent red light bulbs produce a smooth, gradual orange-to-red spectrum that extends into the infrared region. Our red incandescent light bulb for sleep is the perfect light to use in bedside table lamps, bedrooms, bathrooms, or anywhere you spend your evening hours before bedtime. A lovely red, dim, purely analog incandescent light to help your mind and body unwind.  When it comes to sleep and rest, there's no better light source than incandescent: this is the best red light bulb for sleep and bedrooms! Other tips to support better sleep Get some sun every morning! Make sure you're well-lit during the day (bright light in the morning and daytime is another great way to set yourself up for a great night's sleep come nighttime — provided you use only low blue lighting and red light bulbs at night ;) Enable blue light filters on your devices. Device screens emit high levels of isolated blue light, but we all use them at some of the least ideal times, especially at night! Use specialized software (f.lux or Iris) or native display settings on your device to shift the screen toward warmer color temperatures and reduce the amount of blue light emitted. We wrote a guide on how to turn on the blue light filter on Mac + Windows, plus a cool trick to turn your iPhone screen red at night Sleep in a cool, completely dark room with no ambient lights from outdoor street lamps (use blackout curtains), and cover any electrical signal lights with tape. Even better, remove all electronics from your room… Turn off your WiFi before bed. Put your phone on Airplane mode, and keep it outside your room. Stop eating at least 2-4 hours before bed  Last but not least: relax! Journal, read, do anything to unwind from the day. In Summary Bright, white light is best used in the morning and during the day to support alertness and regulate your circadian rhythm. In the evening, lighting should be dim and warm, avoiding cool white(blue-light-rich) sources of light. Red incandescent light is among the best options for nighttime use, as it minimizes circadian disruption and supports melatonin production.  Simple changes to your lighting environment can have a significant positive impact on sleep quality and overall health. 💡Help spread the light! If you found the above helpful, odds are someone you know might too! Please share this article with friends who may find it helpful on their wellness journey.   

Lighting plays a crucial role in our daily lives. It affects our mood, productivity, and, ultimately, our health. Yet, not all light bulbs are created equal. Especially today, most light bulbs emit a harsh yet dull light that feels off. In other words, lighting today is as close to natural light as possible. So, what kind of light bulb is best for beautiful, natural light? Does a light bulb that is similar to natural light even exist?  Let's explore! Understanding Natural Light Bulbs First, what exactly do we mean by natural light bulbs? At least to us, natural light bulbs are light bulbs that mimic natural light (sunlight) in both form and function. What light bulb is closest to natural light? So, what light bulb is closest to natural light? What light bulb mimics sunlight in form and function? The answer: an incandescent or halogen light bulb is as close to a natural light bulb as you can get. Form: Incandescence refers to the emission of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, from a hot object due to its high temperature. The term comes from the Latin verb "incandescere," meaning "to glow white." Analog forms of artificial light, such as incandescent and halogen light bulbs, are, by definition, most similar in form to sunlight. As you can imagine, they also happen to be the best light bulbs for your health (and the best light for eyes!) Just as the sun radiates heat, producing the visible light spectrum we can see, an incandescent (and its brighter counterpart, the halogen) light bulb does the same thing. Now on to the spectrum produced. Spectral Output: We define natural light bulbs as having a form and function most similar to natural sunlight, with a light spectrum as close as possible to the full range of light that the sun produces. Sunlight emits most of its light energy in the form of infrared (amounting to ~40%) and visible light. Ultraviolet light is just a small fraction of this. Incandescent and halogen light bulbs emit a full spectrum of visible light in addition to thermal radiation, or infrared light. They give off light uniformly as opposed to the LED, which gives off and possesses a fuller spectrum of light energy than LED light bulbs, which use chips (light emitting diodes) to construct a white light source. LED light bulbs do not produce thermal energy or infrared light, which, as we recently discovered, comprises the majority of the spectrum of sunlight. Why a Natural Light Bulb cannot be LED For the above reasons, a natural light bulb, by definition, cannot be LED. Sure, we've seen natural light bulbs defined in web searches as light bulbs with a certain color temperature similar to sunlight at noon (around 4000-6500K), but that definition is lacking—you’d just be describing a light bulb whose color temperature is similar to that of the noontime sun. At the most fundamental level, the light output of LED (even a full spectrum variety) is unnatural in form. So, while we always say that light is a tool, you must choose a tool that best fits the task at hand. If the task is finding a natural light bulb possessing characteristics most similar to sunlight, you’ll need to find something other than your conventional LED bulb, even with a natural white or cool white color temperature. While we’re a fan of LED for their energy efficiency, no heat output, and a myriad of other reasons (they’re extremely versatile, to say the least!), the light they give off is, at least functionally speaking, unnatural. What are the Best Natural Light Bulbs? The short answer is analog incandescent or halogen light bulbs. But if you’d like to take that a few steps further, the Chromalux® full spectrum light bulb mimics other characteristics of sunlight, like color saturation and contrast, very much like sunlight. Chromalux® full spectrum light bulbs use special neodymium glass to filter out yellow and other dulling frequencies of the light spectrum, resulting in a beautifully pure and vivid light with enhanced colors and contrast, much like sunlight. Whereas typical incandescent light bulbs have a yellowing effect to colors, the unique glass formulation of these bulbs purifies the yellow/green muddling or dulling frequencies of the visible light spectrum, while enhancing reds and blues (colors our eyes are least sensitive to). The result is the appearance of brighter, more enhanced colors, more white whites, and enhanced contrast, just like one would see things under natural daylight. Wrapping Up... Don't lose touch with the true meaning of a natural light bulb: a light source meant to uplift and inspire, while also possessing some of the fundamental qualities of a true natural light: the sun!  A little about us: Our parent company, Lumiram, is the original maker of full spectrum neodymium glass light bulbs. We attribute much of what we know about lighting in relation to health and beauty to them and their flagship brand, Chromalux®. Since 1978, Chromalux® has provided full spectrum, beautiful neodymium light bulbs to enhance mood, vision, and interiors. Chromalux® is the original light for health and wellness!

While we definitely recommend ditching the phones and all device screens close to bedtime (wind down and relax!) we understand that may not be realistic for many of you. So, how can you safely use your phone or other device at night without the danger of blue light delaying or disrupting your sleep? The answer: turning our phone and other device screens warmer in color temperature (or completely red to eliminate all blue light) at night to eliminate the blue and green light emitted. Let's learn how to turn off blue light on Mac + Windows! How to Turn on Blue Light Filter on Mac + Windows You have two options here: using the native settings available in most newer operating systems, or installing an external app like f.lux.  How to Enable Night Shift (Apple Mac) Choose Apple menu  > System Settings (or System Preferences). Click Displays. Click Night Shift. Set your schedule and slide the bar all the way to the right for the warmest color temperature.  From here you can create a custom Night Shift schedule, schedule Night Shift to turn on automatically from sunset to sunrise, or manually turn Night Shift off or on until sunrise or the scheduled time. You can also make the color temperature more or less warm when Night Shift is on. Warmer color temperatures show more yellow and less blue (all the way to the right).  How to Enable Night Light (Windows 10 PC +)  Go to Settings → System → Display  Toggle “Night Light” On Set the color temperature for night light when it is enabled at sunset. We recommend sliding all the way to the left (the warmest color temperature option). How to turn your phone screen warmer (or red) As of writing this article, only iPhone has a setting to turn the screen completely red. Android users can turn on “night mode” for a warmer color temperature screen from sunset to sunrise.  How to turn on blue light filter on iPhone Step one: Activate the Red Color Filter  Newer iPhone Models (iPhone X and above) Go to Settings → Accessibility → Display and Text Size → Color Filters. Enable Color Filters by tapping the toggle at the top of the screen. Select "Color Tint" as the filter type. Slide the intensity and hue all the way to the right. Older iPhone Models (iPhone 8 and below)  Go to Settings → General → Accessibility →  Display Accommodations  Enable Color Filters by tapping the toggle at the top of the screen.  Select "Color Tint" as the filter type.  Slide the intensity and hue all the way to the right. Step Two: Creating a Triple-Click Shortcut To streamline the process of switching between a regular screen and a red-tinted screen, you can set up a convenient triple-click shortcut. Newer iPhone Models (iPhone X and above)  Go to Settings → Accessibility.  Scroll to the bottom and select "Accessibility Shortcut."  Choose the "Color Filters" option from the list. Older iPhone Models (iPhone 8 and below) Go to Settings → General → Accessibility. Scroll to the bottom and select "Accessibility Shortcut." Choose the "Color Filters" option from the list. Now, every time you triple-click the right side lock button of your iPhone, it will seamlessly switch between a regular screen and a red-tinted screen, blocking all blue and green light wavelengths and letting you get a better night’s sleep!  How to enable Night Mode on Android Go to Settings —> Display —> Toggle switch on for Night Light/Eye Comfort Shield Tap name to adjust the schedule: sunset to sunrise is a good place to start Now that that's done, remember Optimal Light "Hygiene"  ☀️ Get plenty of bright white light upon waking and throughout the day.   🌙 Very little / very dim and warm light at night. Red light bulbs right before bed   Get sun / bright white light first thing in the morning Nothing signals better to the body that it's time to wake up than the presence of bright white light.   For the same reason we limit bright light and blue light exposure in the evening, our bodies require it in the morning to promote alertness and wakefulness! Plus, morning sunshine and bright light exposure sets us up for better sleep come nighttime!    Every morning, make it a habit to step outside for a few minutes and turn on all overhead lights. We love using these R30 Enhanced or R40 Enhanced bulbs (for larger recessed cans). Even if it's an overcast day, time outside will still be optimal for setting your circadian rhythm! For particularly dark mornings, we suggest using a bright light therapy lamp for 20-30 minutes to help wake up.   Very dim and warm light at night.  Turn off all overhead lighting and use only table/floor lamps outfitted with warm light sources.  This low-wattage B10 bulb and this A19 60W are our favorites for evening use.  This red light bulb for sleep is great for bedside tables and to use in the hour or so preceding bedtime.   Other tips to get the best sleep possible ✓ No food/caffeine: Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime ✓ Keep your room dark: Sleep in as dark a room as possible. Minimize or eliminate ambient light from outside the window or any electronics.  ✓ Clear your mind: Any to-dos or straggling thoughts should get out of your head and onto a notepad.  ✓ No devices/stimulation right before bed: Read a book. Journal. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Don't check your email; don't scroll the latest news. If you absolutely must use your phone or other device, at the very least, dim the screen and make sure you have a blue light screen filter on (or, even better, turn your screen red and eliminate all blue light!)  We hope these tips serve as reminders to take care of yourself and the routines wellness is built upon.   Until next time, be well and well-lit!

In a modern world dominated by screens and artificial illumination, blue light has become a hot topic in health and well-being discussions. But whereas most conventional wisdom says all blue light is bad for you—responsible for everything from eye strain to sleep disruption—the right kind of blue light is an absolutely vital part of the light spectrum. Blue light itself is present in high amounts in natural sunlight!  So, is blue light as bad as it's made out to be? Let's explore the world of blue light further and uncover the facts you need to know. What is blue light? Blue light is the shortest and most energetic wavelength of visible light. It plays a crucial role in regulating our circadian rhythm and keeping us alert and well during the day. It's in high amounts in natural sunlight during the daytime and is critical for all human, plant, and animal life.  However, excessive exposure to blue light, especially at night, can disrupt sleep and lead to other health problems. Is blue light bad for you? Contrary to popular belief, blue light is not inherently bad. As we just mentioned, it's present in high amounts in natural sunlight during the daytime and is critical for all human, plant, and animal life.  Getting a dose of blue light in the morning can help signal your brain that it's time to wake up, boosting alertness and mood. However, the type and timing of blue light exposure is critical: while it's beneficial during the daytime, too much blue light at night can interfere with our sleep patterns and overall well-being. Why we need blue light + how blue light affects us As we've alluded, blue light regulates our body's internal clock and processes.  Blue light affects melatonin production, best known as the hormone regulating sleep. When the eyes are exposed to blue light, a signal is sent to the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which regulates the body's internal clock.  This signal suppresses the production of melatonin, which can help increase alertness and reset the body's circadian rhythm to be more awake and active during the day. Conversely, when blue light exposure decreases, such as in the evening or at night, the production of melatonin increases, which signals to the body that it's time to sleep.  This is why it's important to limit exposure to blue light at night, particularly from electronic devices like smartphones and computers, as this can disrupt the production of melatonin and interfere with the body's natural sleep-wake cycles.   Different types of blue light Blue light can be divided into two main categories: blue-violet and blue-turquoise light. It is either present in isolation (the worst) or as a full spectrum (the best) containing both types of blue light—blue-violet and blue-turquoise—in a full and balanced spectrum.  As we'll soon see, shorter wavelength, high-energy blue-violet light is considered more harmful (especially for our eye health), while blue-turquoise light is the "healthy" blue light essential for optimal body and mind functioning.  Blue-violet light The blue–violet (380 to 450 nm) portion of the spectrum is also known as high-energy violet (HEV) or high-energy blue light. Most of what you hear about the dangers of LED lighting involve this specific part of the blue light spectrum: Blue-violet light reaches the retina of the eye and has been shown to cause cumulative and lasting damage to retinal structures [15–17]. In particular, it causes oxidative stress that leads to the destruction of photoreceptor cells.  Blue-turquoise light The blue–turquoise (450 to 500 nm) portion of the spectrum is the "healthier" type of blue light. Blue-turquoise light—specifically 480nm—is the strongest influencer of our circadian rhythm and the production or inhibition of melatonin, a hormone most well-known for its role in inducing sleepiness.  We've written extensively before on how blue light affects our circadian rhythm. You'll note that the most important factor in this process is the presence of highly specialized, non-image-forming photoreceptors in our retinas, called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. These cells contain a photopigment called melanopsin, whose peak absorption is 480nm blue light.   Full spectrum blue light vs. isolated blue light You've likely heard about the dangers of blue light in LED bulbs: they cause cataracts and will speed up the effect of macular degeneration. While some studies show this to be true, it's important to note that those studies were on standard cool white LED with a spike in blue-violet light at 380 nm or so. Today, there are varieties of full spectrum LED lights, including blue light - blue-violet and blue-turquoise - in a full and balanced spectrum. Tips for healthy blue light exposure: the right way to use blue light As we've learned, blue light can be absolutely crucial, beneficial, yet harmful at the same time. It all depends on the timing and intensity of exposure to the light.  Here are some tips for using blue light in a healthy way: Morning and daytime: Get your blue light exposure in the morning/daytime: Whether you're getting outside first thing in the morning or turning on some bright white overhead lights, exposure to blue light in the morning can help reset your circadian rhythm and improve your alertness and mood.  Evening and nighttime: Limit exposure to blue light in the evening, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime. You can try using software or apps that filter out blue light from electronic devices and use dimmer, warmer-colored lights in your home at night. Some great options would be warm white LED bulbs or, for those LED-averse, the following low-wattage incandescent bulbs.  Incandescent bulbs naturally have a lower, warmer color temperature with essentially zero blue light.  Take breaks from devices/set your screens to warm:  Be sure to give your eyes plenty of rest when using electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, or computers.   We also recommend adjusting your display's brightness and color temperature to a warm white setting.  iPhone Hack: How to turn your screen red at night  How can you safely use your phone at night without the danger of blue light delaying or disrupting your sleep? The answer: turning our phone screens red at night to eliminate the blue and green light emitted.  As soon as it gets dark outside, we recommend switching your screen to be as warm (or completely red!) as tolerable. Once you're about an hour or so away from bedtime, however, it is advisable to completely eliminate blue light from devices and turn your iPhone screen red.  Learn how to switch your iPhone screen to turn red at night.   The relationship between color temperature and blue light  Now that we better understand the types of blue light, you'll want to know how to determine which light bulb may emit which types of blue light!  Knowing a light bulb's color temperature can tell you a lot about its spectrum and whether or not there's blue light present.  Color temperature, measured in Kelvin (K), describes the warmth or coolness of light emitted by a source. Higher color temperatures, like those of daylight or cool white LEDs and sunlight at high noon, contain more blue light, whereas warmer color temperatures of light (think 3000K and below) have little blue light in their spectrum and more red light. We find this helpful when choosing light bulbs, but it also gives us a more thorough understanding of light in general.  What Light Bulbs have Blue light? Any light bulb with a cooler color temperature will contain blue light. This means natural white to daylight color temperature LEDs, fluorescent tubes, CFL bulbs, and any other light source with a high color temperature will contain blue light. To know precisely which type of blue light it is, a spectrometer (to see the visible light spectrum in a graph) will be required.  By definition, incandescent light bulbs produce virtually no blue light. In contrast, their brighter cousin, the halogen incandescent, produces a small amount of full-spectrum blue light (a balanced distribution of both blue-violet and blue-turquoise light). Remember again that not all blue light is bad, and we usually have to worry only about unnatural blue light spikes present in most generic cool white or daylight-white LED light bulbs. Choosing either a full spectrum LED or an incandescent or halogen light bulb will ensure you're getting "safe" doses of blue light in its full spectrum—as nature intended—and not some fragmented, isolated light.    What are the best low blue light light bulbs? As we just mentioned, incandescent light bulbs produce virtually no blue light, and warm white color temperature LEDs (below 3000K) also produce little blue light.  Red light bulbs, of course, have no blue light (or any other color present).  As a rule, we tend to prefer the analog light of incandescence over LED. Many people find a palpable difference to the "feel" of the two different lights: analog filament light emits invisible infrared energy and is most similar to natural sunlight (beautiful full spectrum LED bulbs exist, but we find them to feel a bit stark and lacking in ambiance). For this reason, we always recommend Chromalux® full spectrum incandescent or warm white LED bulbs - Chromalux® incorporates the element neodymium in their glass to purify the visible light spectrum uniquely to more accurately represent the color saturation and contrast present under natural sunlight.  Wrapping up..  Takeaway: The type and timing of blue light is essential.  In today's screen-centric world, blue light has become a hot topic in discussions about health. While it's often portrayed as harmful, it's crucial to understand that not all blue light is bad. Natural sunlight, rich in blue light, is essential for regulating our body clocks and overall well-being. By being mindful of when and how we're exposed to blue light (along with the types of blue light), we can enjoy its benefits while minimizing any potential negative impacts, ensuring a healthier relationship with the light around us. Until next time, be well and well-lit!  

Block Blue Light on iPhone: Quick Steps to Turn Your iPhone Screen Red If you want to block blue and green light at night for better sleep, you can quickly turn your iPhone screen red. Here's exactly how: Open Settings. Tap Accessibility. Tap Display & Text Size. Tap Color Filters. Turn on Color Filters. Select Color Tint. Adjust Intensity and Hue sliders all the way to the right This unofficial "red mode for iPhone" removes stimulating blue light and supports the production/release of melatonin, helping you get a better night's sleep! Now, if you want a more detailed guide — including setting up a triple-click shortcut to toggle the above red filter on and off — keep reading below! -- Blue wavelengths of light signal the brain to wake up and be alert, while suppressing the release of melatonin, the hormone that makes us sleepy.  While we definitely recommend ditching the phones and all device screens close to bedtime (wind down and relax!) we understand that may not be realistic for many of you. So, how can you safely use your phone at night without the danger of blue light delaying or disrupting your sleep? The answer: turning our phone screens red at night to eliminate the blue and green light emitted. Let's explore how!  Step One: Activate the Red Color Filter Newer iPhone Models (iPhone X and above) Go to Settings → Accessibility → Display and Text Size → Color Filters. Enable Color Filters by tapping the toggle at the top of the screen. Select "Color Tint" as the filter type. Slide the intensity and hue all the way to the right. Older iPhone Models (iPhone 8 and below)  Go to Settings → General → Accessibility →  Display Accommodations  Enable Color Filters by tapping the toggle at the top of the screen.  Select "Color Tint" as the filter type.  Slide the intensity and hue all the way to the right. Step Two: Creating a Triple-Click Shortcut To streamline the process of switching between a regular screen and a red-tinted screen, you can set up a convenient triple-click shortcut. Newer iPhone Models (iPhone X and above)  Go to Settings → Accessibility.  Scroll to the bottom and select "Accessibility Shortcut."  Choose the "Color Filters" option from the list. Older iPhone Models (iPhone 8 and below) Go to Settings → General → Accessibility. Scroll to the bottom and select "Accessibility Shortcut." Choose the "Color Filters" option from the list. Now, every time you triple-click the right side lock button of your iPhone, it will seamlessly switch between a regular screen and a red-tinted screen, blocking all blue and green light wavelengths and letting you get a better night’s sleep!  Why You Need to Remove Blue Light At Night Blue light, especially from screens and bright overhead lighting, sends a powerful signal to your brain that it's daytime — even when it's late at night. This delays the release of melatonin, the hormone that helps you feel sleepy and stay asleep. Overexposure to blue light after sunset can disrupt your natural circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling rested. By removing blue light in the evening, you allow your body to naturally wind down, promote deeper sleep, and protect your long-term health. Other Lighting Tips For a Good Night's Sleep  1. Use dim, warmer color temperature lighting in the evening Minimize or eliminate sources of white light in the evening (device screens, overhead white lights, etc.) Keep the brightness of all light at a minimum. Any light, if bright enough, can keep you up!   Remember that a light's color temperature can give us a clue to which color its spectrum skews more towards - blue (energetic light that is awakening), or red (soothing light that won't suppress melatonin, the sleep hormone). We recommend using desk and floor lamps outfitted with warm white light bulbs ( anything 2700K-3500K) or try our favorites by Chromalux® (also linked at the bottom of the page):  This low-wattage B10 bulb and this A19 60W are our favorites for evening use.  This red light bulb for sleep is great for bedside tables and to use in the hour or so preceding bedtime. 2. Dim overhead lights or turn them off altogether While a lot of attention rests on light color, brightness can be equally as important. Too bright a light triggers your pupillary reflex, which tells your brain that it's time to wake up!  Turn off any overhead lights and use desk and floor lamps outfitted with warm white light bulbs instead.  3. Use blue light filters on devices (set screen color temperature to warm) Apart from your newly-red iPhone, if you'll be using other devices, you must set screens to a warmer color temperature using an app like f.lux or your operating system display settings. Ideally, screens should be amber or red and very dim. Learn how to turn on the blue light filter on Mac and Windows. Is turning the screen red better than Night Shift? Yes. Night Shift simply changes the screen's color temperature to a warmer setting, but still allows some blue light wavelengths through. A full red filter blocks blue and most green light, offering you the best protection and a better night's sleep! 💡Help spread the light! If you found the above helpful, odds are someone you know might too! Share this article with friends that may find it helpful on their wellness journey. 

  If certain light sources make your eyes uncomfortable, you're not alone (and like many of our customers!)  Today, we're talking about light sensitivity and answering the question: what are the best light bulbs for sensitive eyes?   It doesn't matter whether your light sensitivity is due to an underlying condition or you simply find today's lighting harsh and problematic - it's a real thing and the problem has everything to do with the light source.  You've probably realized how difficult it's become to find light bulbs that don't cause symptoms for sensitive eyes: unfortunately many conventional light bulbs on the market today can cause eye strain, discomfort, and other unwanted symptoms, even after short periods of use. So, let's explore the best lighting options for your sensitive eyes! If you're the type to skip to the end, you'll see that we recommend using only either warm white LED, or, preferably, incandescent light bulbs, if light sensitivity is a problem. What causes light sensitivity? Which light bulbs cause light sensitivity? While any light source can trigger your symptoms, most people are triggered by some qualities of light inherent to lower-quality or generic LED and fluorescent light bulbs.  First, let's talk about the two usual culprits behind most light sensitivity. Harsh "on/off" light flicker Flicker is a by-product of being plugged into alternating current (AC) electricity; while all light bulbs flicker to some degree - not all flicker is the same.  The flicker from LED is more of a strobing "on/off" effect, while the flicker from incandescent or halogen light bulbs is more of a gentle glow -- like a candle's flicker, due to the thermal inertia from the bulb's filament. Just as it's far more pleasant to stare at a candle flame, the same goes for the glowing flicker from incandescent light bulbs. Blue light wavelengths / glare + brightness The brightness and color of light trigger most symptoms of light sensitivity. More specifically, we're talking about the high energy blue-violet wavelengths of the visible light spectrum.  While not all blue light is not bad (but a biologically necessary part of visible light that keeps our energy up and circadian rhythm synced), it's the shorter wavelengths of this so-called "high energy blue visible light" that is problematic for our eyes.  The light output of LED light bulbs contains an unnatural spike of those high energy blue light wavelengths in isolation.   Now for glare and brightness, much of this has to do with the "noise" of artificial lighting and the overall unnatural nature of LED lighting. If you find that most LED is unnervingly bright and causes a "halo" effect (unfocus your eyes a bit while looking at the light and you see a halo of light), that's because LED outputs a light more akin a laser beam rather than a source of light.  What are the best light bulbs for sensitive eyes? If all the above are usual determinants of your symptoms, choosing light sources without harsh flicker, blue light wavelengths, or extreme "noisy" brightness makes sense!  As we'll see shortly, incandescent light bulbs are the best light bulbs for sensitive eyes.  And - as we've written extensively about - incandescent bulbs are simple, analog light sources similar in form to the sun and are unarguably the healthiest type of light bulb available. We like to think that our body and eyes would have no reason to respond negatively to the kind of light provided by nature!  Not all incandescent or halogen light bulbs are made equal, however. If you or someone you love genuinely suffers from sensitivity (or if the sensitivity primarily causes eye strain), trying a purified version of incandescent light, like the beautiful Chromalux® light bulb, can make a big difference!  To summarize: choose any light bulb that is:  Warmer in color temperature  This means a light bulb containing less blue light and more red light. That could mean either incandescent or warm white color temperature LED bulbs.  Does not flicker on/off or has low flicker As mentioned before, it's much more pleasant to the eyes and body to watch a candle flicker versus a static, rapidly flickering on/off signal. Even if you can't see the flicker, it's there, and your body feels it.   Is either dimmable or lower in wattage A light that's too bright is unnerving. Especially when it's so-called "junk light". We recommend sticking to lower-wattage, lower-brightness light bulbs or using bulbs on dimmer switches so that you can control the brightness yourself.  We also recommend covering up any "uncovered" fixtures in your home, such as pendants.  As a side note, wattage in the case of LED bulbs doesn't equate to brightness: a 12-watt LED, for example, can still be quite bright, whereas an incandescent bulb's wattage does equate to its brightness.  What are the symptoms of light sensitivity? While we're not doctors, the symptoms of light sensitivity can resemble those of many conditions. Whether migraines, headaches, dizziness, or eye pain, you'll know its light sensitivity if your symptoms are triggered after exposure to a particular light source and subside when that light turns off.  The following are some common symptoms of light sensitivity:  Headache/migraines Vertigo or dizziness Light intolerance/the desire to flee from the light source Eye pain or discomfort Excess squinting/blinking Burning or watering of the eye Other helpful lifestyle tips: While changing your light is a great place to begin, we also recommend the following:  Getting natural sunshine first thing every day Limiting blue light and bright light usage in the evening Setting your device screens to warmer color temperatures   Wrapping up:  Light is a gift from nature, and we'd like to keep it as such. Choose better lighting for those sensitive eyes and unwind a bit! Wishing you all the best in light and health!   💡Thanks for reading! If you're interested in more articles like this (and for even more content on light and wellness), subscribe to our newsletter! You'll also get a code for 10% off your first order with us - so you can try out all the above recommendations! Scroll down to find the subscribe box in our footer. 

Incandescent light bulbs seem to be on everyone's mind these days. Whether you view them from the lens of inefficient energy wasters or a natural light "vitamin," there is a lot to be said for this original, analog light technology! There's a reason why so many of our customers still prefer the pure light of our incandescent bulbs - there simply isn't any other light source quite like it (save the sun!). Let's explore a bit more! What are incandescent light bulbs? Incandescence is the emission of visible light by a hot object.  Whether that be burning embers, a candle flame, an incandescent light bulb, or the sun -- all provide visible light through the process of incandescence! An incandescent light bulb uses electricity to heat its filament until it is hot enough to glow and produce visible light (by electrical resistance). The higher a bulb's wattage, the brighter the filament glows.  The construction of an incandescent light bulb is simple. The light bulb consists of the following:   a tungsten filament wire glass shell (the one pictured here by Chromalux® is lavender from the element neodymium compounded into the glass for enhanced color + contrast)  vacuum in the glass shell to prevent the wire from oxidation and burning off.  What are the benefits of incandescent light bulbs?  We wrote all about the benefits of incandescent light bulbs before, but in a nutshell, the main benefits of incandescent light bulbs are:  A balanced full spectrum of visible light The highest possible color rendering index in a light source = the most natural appearing light Full of nourishing, regenerative infrared light  Low blue light Low flicker / Low EMF While we tend to focus a lot on the benefits, a lot is said on the disadvantages of incandescent bulbs, with the main disadvantage being their energy inefficiency.  Yes, these bulbs produce a lot of heat in addition to their visible light output, but much of this heat actually contains the health benefits of incandescent light bulbs. What if we saw them as energy boosters rather than seeing incandescents as energy wasters? In terms of what we can see in terms of visible light - at the moment, there is no other light technology that can quite capture the purity and essence of natural visible light like incandescent (or halogen light) can!  If you start to view your lighting as a tool - and you begin to learn about each light technology's benefits and best uses - then you can start to make better choices around your lighting.  For example, if you're concerned about energy efficiency, then, by all means, use the highest quality LED bulbs you can. But, if you have sensitive eyes or prefer to use something more akin to sunlight in terms of light quality at close range (for example, while working at your desk or reading on the couch), there's nothing like incandescent. Are incandescent light bulbs better for health?  in short, yes. We wrote before about why incandescents are the healthiest light bulbs! Just like anything else concerning best health - think natural foods sans additives, preservatives, and other ingredients our biology doesn't understand or have use for - the best light bulb for your health is the analog type, the one that best mimics light from our natural source, the sun.    Are incandescent light bulbs safer for your eyes?  Thanks to the benefits listed above, and primarily because of the low blue light content in these bulbs, incandescent light bulbs are the safest light bulbs for your eyes.  Color-corrected types, like Chromalux® incandescent bulbs, are even better and have been recommended to low-vision patients since the 1980s, thanks to their enhanced color vibrancy and contrast.  Incandescent light bulbs vs. Halogen light bulbs In conversations about incandescent light, you may hear about its close relative, the halogen light bulb. So, what is the difference between incandescent bulbs and halogen light bulbs?  First, halogen is still technically an incandescent light bulb - which is why we sometimes refer to them as halogen incandescents!   The main difference between halogen and incandescent bulbs, then, is the incandescent filament is contained within a clear capsule containing a mixture of inert and halogen gas.  This capsule allows the filament to work more efficiently and burn brighter, translating to a whiter color temperature. In other words, halogens are simply an enhanced version of incandescent!  Incandescent vs. LED light bulbs Incandescent light bulbs have a simple filament, whereas LED light bulbs make light through the use of LED diodes - a type of semiconductor. Some LEDs also try to mimic the appearance of a standard incandescent light bulb by using LED filaments, but even warmer color temperature LED bulbs simply cannot replicate the clarity of real incandescence. What is healthier - incandescent or LED?  All this talk about incandescents can have some wonder our stance on LED lighting. While we're neutral on the subject, there are definitely times when LED is the best lighting choice, and others when not. Again, it all comes down to using lighting as a tool - make it work for you. If you're looking for the healthiest, most natural light bulb, nothing can beat the purely analog, clean light of incandescence.  If you have a large space you need to illuminate, it may be in your best interest to use LED.   Shop incandescent light bulbs  Convinced that incandescent bulbs are the best light for your health and well-being? Shop our beautiful and unique Chromalux® full spectrum incandescent light bulbs, which take incandescent light further by filtering light and reproducing beautifully vivid colors, contrast, and overall feel, just like natural sunlight.  Takeaway That wraps up our summary of our favorite healthy light source - the incandescent light bulb! Remember, light is a tool, and some types provide more than just visible light to see. So, if you want to learn more about lighting (from an albeit very unconventional lens), check out all our other articles on health and light!  In terms of what we always recommend to our customers? Use a bit of all light technologies. Maybe, try using LED overhead in your recessed cans and some incandescents in your desk lamps at close range... In the end, what works best is what feels best - so enjoy the journey! 

By now, we all know light plays a significant role in our daily lives, controlling everything from physiology to mood! You've likely heard that getting sunlight first thing each morning is one of the most essential parts of a daily wellness routine, along with drinking water upon waking and forgoing bright blue lights in the evening. But why is it so essential for us to get some light first thing each day?  The answer has to do with the effects of light on our circadian rhythm.  Today, let's dive deeper into this all-encompassing daily biological rhythm that keeps our health and lives running like clockwork.  What is the circadian rhythm? The circadian rhythm is the body's internal clock that operates on a 24-hour cycle and controls/times various biological processes: everything from our sleep and wake schedule, hormones, digestion, body temperature, and more. Synchronized with our environment by a part of our brain's hypothalamus called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the SCN acts as our internal timekeeper and is most influenced by signals from our eyes by the presence of light in our surroundings. (Other signals, like the timing of meals, also exist but are considered secondary signals).  You likely intuitively understand your own personal circadian rhythm: if you wake up, sleep, and get hungry at the same time every day, that's a prime example of your personal circadian rhythm at play!  How does light affect sleep and the circadian rhythm?  The short answer: through the interaction of light (especially blue light!) with the eyes and brain, and the hormones melatonin and cortisol!   The Eyes: Apart from the rods and cones (image-forming photoreceptors in the retina of the eye that allow us to see), we also have specialized non-image-forming photoreceptors called melanopsin retinal ganglion cells that are responsible for our circadian entrainment, conveying information from our external environment to the brain's suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), or our brain's "master clock". When light enters the eyes, a signal is sent to the SCN, which tells the pineal gland to suppress the secretion of melatonin.  Visible Light:  As we've just seen, visible white light and its constituent blue light wavelengths are the main timekeepers for the circadian rhythm.  Activated by the presence of light, our melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells send signals to the brain to keep cortisol levels high during the day to promote alertness and wakefulness while suppressing the secretion of  melatonin, the hormone best known to induce sleepiness.   While all wavelengths of light can activate this signaling system, our retinal ganglion cells and the photopigment melanopsin are primarily activated by shorter wavelengths of light, with peak absorption at around 480nm (blue light)! These wavelengths of light are present in high amounts in natural sunlight during the morning and daytime and in artificial light of a color temperature above 4000K. While blue light wavelengths are the primary suppression signal for melatonin, if bright enough, any light can suppress melatonin secretion (even red light)! Melatonin + Cortisol:  Melatonin and cortisol are two hormones that release on opposing rhythms and are the primary chemical mediators providing the signals that set our internal clocks (among all their other roles!) For this limited scope of discussion, melatonin initiates the inactive phase and increases our drive to sleep, while cortisol begins the active phase and increases alertness and wakefulness.  Ideally, melatonin rises at night, peaking around 2 - 3 am. Melatonin will then drop with the onset of environmental light and remain low throughout the day, while cortisol will be raised in its stead, working to keep us motivated and alert. Lighting Tips for Morning and Daytime  Use bright white light Aim for at least 20 - 30 minutes of daylight exposure upon waking each day (without sunglasses for optimal exposure).  Remember, the presence of bright light signals to the brain to suppress the release of melatonin, releasing cortisol in its stead. Getting plenty of sunlight (and constituent blue light) in the morning enables our master clock to "reset" and understand this is the wakeful period. - Open all window blinds + turn on overhead lights upon waking. Opt for light with color temperatures around 3750/4000K or above (natural white, cool white, or daylight white will work!) This R30 is our favorite for 4 or 5" recessed cans.   - Get outside! Take a morning walk or have your morning coffee on the porch. - Use a light therapy device to help on rainy days and during the winter.    Lighting tips for a good night's sleep  Use only dim, warm color temperature light Minimize or eliminate sources of white light in the evening (device screens, overhead white lights, etc.) Keep the brightness of all light at a minimum. Any light, if bright enough, can keep you up!   - Dim overhead lights or turn them off altogether While a lot of attention rests on light color, brightness can be equally as important. Too bright a light triggers your pupillary reflex, which tells your brain that it's time to wake up!  Turn off any overhead lights and use desk and floor lamps outfitted with warm white light bulbs instead.  -Use warmer color temperature lighting in the evening Remember that a light's color temperature can give us a clue to which color its spectrum skews more towards - blue (energetic light that is awakening), or red (soothing light that won't suppress melatonin - the sleep hormone). We recommend using desk and floor lamps outfitted with warm white light bulbs ( anything 2700K-3500K ) or, our personal favorite - the Chromalux® 60W frosted bulb). - Use blue light filters on devices (set screen color temperature to warm) If you'll be using devices, set screens to a warmer color temperature using an app like f.lux or your operating system display settings. Ideally, screens should be amber or red and very dim.    In summary, remember the following for a healthy circadian rhythm: - Go to sleep and wake up at around the same time each day. - Get some sun every morning! Your overhead lights during the morning and daytime should be bright and preferably more "white" in color temperature (anywhere from 4200K-6500K).- Set a relaxing bedtime ritual and stick to it.- Follow the above guidelines on limiting screen time, turning on screen filters, wearing blue light blocking glasses, and dimming lights. In addition, all lights should be of a warmer color temperature in the evening (around 2700K-3500K), very dim, and optimally only used in floor or table lamps (no lighting overhead).   Best light bulbs for sleep This article wouldn't be complete without a list of some of our favorite light bulbs for sleep! The following are some of our favorite light bulbs by Chromalux®.  Remember, the best light color to help you sleep is anything "warm" - whether that means warm white (for LED bulbs), or any other technology of bulb that has a color temperature below 3700K or so.  Take incandescent light bulbs for example: they are naturally warmer in color temperature and therefore skew more towards the red color in their spectrum - making them the perfect candidate for nighttime usage! Unique to Chromalux® incandescents are their special glass that enhances colors and contrast, so nighttime reading becomes even easier!  Our favorite night time bulbs, then:  For overhead recessed lighting: Chromalux® R25 60W flood bulb For bedside table lamps: Chromalux® B10 medium base 25W, or Chromalux® A19 60W frosted      💡Thanks for reading! If you're interested in more articles like this one (and for even more content on everything concerning light and wellness), subscribe to our newsletter! You'll also get a code for 10% off your first order with us - so you can try out all the above recommendations! Scroll down to find the subscribe box in our footer. 

Let's talk eyes today. While we've written about the healthiest type of light for eyes before, we wanted to get into some more detail about eye-care tips. A brief search on Google found a lot of similar tips surrounding things like diet, not smoking, not rubbing your eyes, and wearing sunglasses outdoors.  Some talked about the importance of not staring at your computer screen, and the 20-20-20 rule (which we love and include below). But not once do we see lighting mentioned!  Since our business is natural lighting, we'd also like to talk about about the importance of choosing the best possible indoor lighting, when it comes to taking care of your eyes. Specifically, the best type of light for your eyes, some lighting characteristics that make it easier to see and read! (hint: these features are characteristic of our Chromalux® light bulbs!), and some great holistic eye-health tips.   So let's get to it: Our favorite holistic eye-care tips Apart from taking care of your nutrition, hydration, movement, and getting time under the sun each day, the following are some great practices to incorporate into your every day life!  20-20-20 rule:  Most of us stare at screens at close range all day long - but our eyes are designed to see both up close and far away. Try the 20-20-20 rule to combat eye fatigue and dry eyes that could occur, while giving your eyes a gentle workout. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Our eyes are muscles and they need to get a workout too! Cup your hands over closed eyes: Don't look at the world through tired eyes!  Rejuvenate your vision during the day by rubbing your palms together quickly to create some heat, then cupping your hands over closed eyes. The heat will help dissipate any tension in your eyes and eyebrows, while also allowing your eyes (and brain!) a moment to rest. Our eyes deserve a moment of peace too - they are constantly taking in and analyzing the world around us! Set screens to a warmer color temperature: You may have your device screens set to turn a warmer color temperature at night, but we suggest setting it for daytime too! The blue light emitted from our screens is not only straining and unnecessary but potentially harmful to our eyes. For Mac users, head to your System Preferences > Displays > Night Shift > Custom > Slide the color temperature dial to the right for "more warm". Windows users: Start > Settings > System > Display > Night light settings. Play around with a setting that is white enough to see, but feels comfortable to the eyes. Using Chromalux® Incandescent + Enhanced light bulbs during the night and day, respectively. We'll get into the eye-friendly, vision-enhancing  properties of the Chromalux® light bulbs shortly (as well as some interesting backstory), but in a nutshell, these bulbs have been shown to improve visual acuity by effectively "purifying" the visible light spectrum and visual field.  Eye-friendly and Vision Enhancing Properties of Chromalux® Even though color discrimination (CRI), plays a big role in how well we see under a certain light, there are some eye-friendly, vision-enhancing properties that are unique only to Chromalux® light bulbs. The Chromalux® light bulb was first conceived in Finland, land of the Midnight Sun, where daylight is scarce during the winter time. Our founders were inspired by the findings of skin doctors who used a similar light source using the element neodymium, to more accurately detect abnormalities in their patient's skin. Just like under natural sunlight, they were able to see all details, texture, color, etc., under this type of lighting, almost as if they were under a magnifying glass!  -Enhanced Color Saturation Neodymium - the color enhancing/purifying element used in our bulbs - has a narrow absorption band around 555nm in the visible light spectrum, which is the color we know as tennis ball yellow.  Interestingly, the human eye is most sensitive to this color, and least sensitive to red and blue colors. By attenuating the yellow signal of light, our brain is able to interpret all the other colors more vibrantly, similarly to how you'd see colors under natural sunlight! -Increased Contrast By cleaning up the visual field and enhancing color, the eyes can relax.  Neodymium has a great sharpening effect, so you can distinguish between textures more easily, and - when it comes to our eyes and reading - there is almost a 3D effect where black text seemingly lifts off of white pages. Some parting words For those of us blessed with good vision, most of how we see the world around us depends on our eyes: their ability to see, decipher, and distinguish between elements in our environment. Keep your eyes in tip top shape, and maybe you'll be able to see your world with a renewed perspective! When it comes to health and ultimate well-being, we believe lighting should be part of your everyday wellness checklist: how does it look, how does it make you feel, do you have enough (or too much?), the list continues...  Lumiram (our parent company) has been making full spectrum light bulbs uniquely designed to enhance well-being since first opening its doors in 1959, and brought their flagship brand of neodymium glass light bulbs - Chromalux® full spectrum - to the United States in 1978.  We're glad you're here. If you enjoyed this article, consider joining our newsletter list, where every month our resident wellness lighting expert sheds some light on all things light and health. Not only will you gain valuable insights to the very important world of lighting, you'll also get a code for 15% off your first order with us - so you can try out all the above recommendations! Scroll down to find the subscribe box in our footer.  Wishing you all the best in light and health!