AngryParsley comments on Optimizing Sleep - Less Wrong

10 [deleted] 10 May 2011 11:36AM

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Comment author: AngryParsley 11 May 2011 06:41:22AM 4 points [-]

Like other commenters, I recommend melatonin and keeping lights low before bedtime. Blue light seems to reduce the amount of melatonin in the brain, so dimmed incandescent lights are better than fluorescents or LEDs. Programs like F.lux or Redshift can change the color temperature of your screen at night.

More than anything else, vigorous exercise has helped keep me on a 24-hour cycle. Days when I don't run are days when I have trouble getting to sleep. I don't think this works for everyone though. Keeping a regular exercise routine is probably harder than keeping a standard sleep schedule.

Comment author: Mqrius 09 March 2013 07:17:05AM *  2 points [-]

My sleep schedule tended to drift further into the night as well. I installed f.lux s little over a week ago, and just realized a day ago that I find myself going to bed around midnight consistently! The amount of sleep has also decreased, to about 7.5 hours. sleep quality seems similar. (I'm using ElectricSleep for tracking movement)

Capitalizing on this, I've ordered orange-tinted blue-blocking glasses, and have attempted to find something like f.lux for Android. There are custom ROMs that can do it, and there's apps like Lux that only change brightness. Supposedly you can use Chainfire3D + Chainfire3D Pro + CF.Lumen, although I think that modifies your ROM.

I'm using EasyEyez right now, which can put an ugly red overlay over the screen. I don't know how effective it is, but at least you'll need to reduce blue to go from a white colour to a red colour.

YMMV, my girlfriend didn't notice any change since using f.lux.

Comment author: wedrifid 11 May 2011 05:26:00PM 3 points [-]

Blue light seems to reduce the amount of melatonin in the brain, so dimmed incandescent lights are better than fluorescents or LEDs.

Red LEDs obviously wouldn't fit the deprecated category. If my understanding is correct they are also good for providing illumination in situations where it is critical that you do not lose your night vision.

Programs like F.lux or Redshift can change the color temperature of your screen at night.

I have found F.lux useful and surprisingly unintrusive. Without playing conscious attention or turning it on and off to verify the difference is not noticeable. If you do go and turn it off after adapting to the altered display it actually feels unnaturally glaring.

Comment author: Cyan 11 May 2011 05:41:08PM 1 point [-]

Without playing conscious attention or turning it on and off to verify the difference is not noticeable.

I notice it. I don't mind it, but I do notice it.

Comment author: Dorikka 13 December 2011 11:07:14PM 0 points [-]

If you do go and turn it off after adapting to the altered display it actually feels unnaturally glaring.

I've had the same experience, so I now just leave it on the nighttime setting all the time. I wish that I'd have known about it during the years that I played video games for hours on end. :P