Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, bright light therapy, or blue light therapy, is increasingly common for people trying to improve their sleep health. Light therapy is particular helpful for those with Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPS).

What is this? Think about a typical ‘night owl’. A night owl will typically choose to stay up until midnight, and sleep until 8 in the morning. A person with DSPS is unable to initiate sleep until well after 1 or 2 am, and has extreme difficulty awakening until late morning or close to noon.

How does light therapy help? Exposure to bright light (10,000 lux for at least 30 minutes daily or 2,500 lux for at least 2 hours) as soon as possible after awakening, has been found to be extremely helpful in resetting the body clock to an earlier time.

Sleep Tip #259: Check out light therapy for troubling falling asleep at a desired time.