E-paper: Cure for insomnia?

[JeremyR]

I am really really screwed up, I usually can't go to sleep before it gets light out. In summer it's not so bad, but winter...

So perhaps not surprisingly, I have the reverse experience. Reading on my Nook HD+ tablet makes me very sleepy, while reading on my e-ink Kindle Keyboard I don't get sleepy at all.

[gabby98]

Originally Posted by Chi Cygni

I understand. Although I heard somewhere the worst thing to do is to think "I have to sleep because... etc" Sometimes I want a nap in the afternoon and then I cannot sleep because I think I HAVE to fall asleep soon otherwise what little time I have will be gone. Then I'm stressed out and cannot sleep. So a while ago I decided to say to myself "fine, I am just lying down and relaxing, I don't care, I am not going to sleep" and that actually works. When there are nights when I cannot sleep I read until I drop dead regardless of work next day. Tough luck, I'll be dead at work, been there and done that.

So maybe you shouldn't be a big girl, just say to insomnia, fine, I don't care!

I do that as well when I actually start dozing during day or want a nap....maybe i should give that a try

[Carmelreader]

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

Might want to invest in these... I use them when listening to my audiobooks, my husband says they don't disturb him. I find them very comfortable to wear in bed...



http://www.sleepphones.com/store/sleepphones-store

Amazon has them as well. They also have a wireless version available.

How wonderful! I too listen to books or podcasts to get to sleep (history of english works well), but I hate the ear buds and even the light earclips I have aren't comfortable in bed. Going to go order right now! Thank you.

[vxf]

You have my sympathy. I could never function with a pre-set sleeping cycle. I don't sleep much (4-5 hours per night seems to work fine for me... go figure) but, even then, I could never sleep 'on demand'. I struggled with it for years, as a kid in school and then with various jobs. Eventually, I found a career that allows me to operate at my own time and pace - and I couldn't be happier.

But back to the screen issue. All light affects me. LCD screens do - but so does a PW. I noticed big differences depending on how high I set my PW light at. So I don't think it's an issue of 'type of screen' - more like purely intensity-based.

[Ndaara]

Originally Posted by vxf

But back to the screen issue. All light affects me. LCD screens do - but so does a PW. I noticed big differences depending on how high I set my PW light at. So I don't think it's an issue of 'type of screen' - more like purely intensity-based.

Thank you for your comment, this is my concern with a front-lit reader. I'm sure I won't know until I try it, but I'm glad to know that it's possible it will still bother me (i.e., a light that turns completely off is preferable). Because nothing is ever easy.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by vxf

All light affects me. LCD screens do - but so does a PW. I noticed big differences depending on how high I set my PW light at. So I don't think it's an issue of 'type of screen' - more like purely intensity-based.

Judging from the range of variables and conclusions drawn on this thread, the issue of insomnia is and isn't related to a given device's kind of light, screen, intensity, gradation of blue and/or pattern of usage.

It seems we're all using inductive reasoning to contextualize our personal solutions -- which makes sense on a thread which is essentially a poll without stats.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by Sefiriot

The Gunnar glasses look very interesting. Need more $$ though before I can even consider ordering a pair.

I just saw an article on artificial light and sleep with links to cheap tinted glasses.

Article - http://chriskresser.com/how-artifici...to-do-about-it
Glasses - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000USRG90
Glasses to wear over glasses - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LWJCJW

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

I just saw an article on artificial light and sleep with links to cheap tinted glasses.

Article - http://chriskresser.com/how-artifici...to-do-about-it
Glasses - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000USRG90
Glasses to wear over glasses - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LWJCJW

FWIW - After years of CRT screen induced headaches/eye strain from 8 hour days working at a computer, I had a second pair of prescription glasses made with yellow lens [non-prescription glasses are sold as 'shooters' glasses' or 'fishing glasses' that let you see below the sun's glare on the water, or 'night driving glasses'], which reduced the glare and filtered the colors. Even after moving away from the old CRT screens to flat screens, the yellow lens are invaluable to me for prolonged PC or tablet use. I've seen non-prescription yellow lens glasses sold as 'computer glasses' on tech websites.

I've tried both amber/orange and yellow lens - the amber lens tend to darken my visual field whilst the yellow lens sharpen contrast while still reducing glare. When I'm recovering from a migraine, I also wear the yellow lens glasses when reading on an eInk reader.

[pmcnz]

Hi,
I decided to add this info to this 3 month old post as it's the most logical place.
I found this reputable information about the fact that backlit devices block (or slow) the increase of melatonin at night (the chemical substance the body manufactures to help you go to sleep) - see this link:
http://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/...s_you_awake_at

Hence e-ink ereaders, paper books, yellow glasses or non-blue backgrounds on your device won't interfere as much with your ability to go to sleep.
Paul

[speakingtohe]

I think you should start a new thread as I find this quite interesting in itself.

Helen