Rise and Shine: Morning Blue Light Exposure, Sleep, and Work

• 成果类型: Article; Early Access
• 署名作者: Keeler, Kathleen R.; Barnes, Christopher M.; Huang, Yiming; Gunia, Brian C.; Moy, Jason H.
• 署名单位: University System of Ohio; Ohio State University; University of Washington; University of Washington Seattle; National University of Singapore; Johns Hopkins University
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0021-9010
• DOI: 10.1037/apl0001418
• 发表日期: 2026
• 关键词: PHASE RESPONSE CURVE; CIRCADIAN REGULATION; ganglion-cells; BRIGHT LIGHT; dim light; H PULSE; melatonin; sensitivity; performance; therapy

摘要

In contrast to prior research demonstrating that blue light filtering glasses worn at night improve employee sleep and work outcomes, we build from circadian theory to examine whether morning blue light exposure may provide complementary benefits. A within-person field experiment prompted 182 full-time employees to wear blue light emitting glasses for 30 min each morning over two work weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment-first or control-first condition, with glasses programmed to emit either 100% (treatment) or 1% (control) blue light intensity. Results showed that morning blue light exposure improved sleep outcomes later that night, which enhanced next-day alertness, reduced depletion, and ultimately improved outcomes at work. Exploratory moderation analyses showed that employees with preexisting sleep problems and younger employees experienced greater benefits from blue light exposure in the morning, translating to meaningful improvements in work outcomes. This study provides evidence for a comprehensive 24-hr approach to light-dependent circadian regulation in workplace contexts. Additionally, it suggests that using blue light emitting glasses represents a simple, cost-effective intervention that organizations can implement to support employee performance, particularly for younger workers and those with existing sleep difficulties.