How to Fake a Sunset for Better Sleep at Night

Your brain takes its cues from light. Bright lights signal 'stay awake and alert'. Dim, warm lighting whispers 'time to wind down'. If you've been struggling with restless nights or finding it hard to switch off, the solution might be simpler than you think: fake a sunset in your own home.

This gentle evening routine helps your body recognise that it's time to prepare for rest. Let's walk through exactly how to create the perfect light environment for better sleep.

Identify Your Evening Light Sources

Start by taking stock of your space after dark. Notice the harsh overhead lights flooding your living room. See the blue glow from your laptop, phone, and television screens. These bright lights are shouting 'stay awake!' to your brain, even when you're trying to settle down.

Think of your home like a theatre. When the house lights lower, everyone knows the show is about to begin. In the same way, lowering your lights signals to your own body that it's time for the wind-down show to start. This simple awareness is your first step towards creating an environment that supports rest rather than resists it.

Dim or Switch Off Overhead Lighting

Choose a specific 'lights down' time each evening—perhaps an hour before you'd like to be asleep. At this time, switch off your main ceiling lights. These harsh overheads are designed for productivity and activity, not relaxation.

Replace them with softer alternatives. Use floor lamps or table lamps positioned at lower levels. The light should come from below eye level rather than above, creating a naturally calming atmosphere. This shift in lighting makes it so much easier to relax and stop the late-night puttering that keeps you up too long.

Create a Warm, Low-Light Environment

Now refine your lighting further. If your devices have a warm or night mode setting, switch them on. Better yet, power down your screens entirely during this wind-down hour. The content will still be there tomorrow, but your sleep won't wait.

Keep devices out of your bedroom altogether. Charge your phone in another room. Your bedside should be calm, dark, and free from the temptation of 'just one more scroll'. When your bedroom becomes a sanctuary rather than an entertainment centre, sleep doesn't have to fight for space.

Your living room isn't a stadium—there's no need for floodlights at 10 p.m. Embrace the softer, gentler light that helps your body produce the hormones it needs for quality rest.

Enjoy the Morning Benefits

This quiet evening routine pays dividends the next day. Better sleep means waking up with more energy and sharper attention for the work and people you care about. You'll find it easier to focus on your priorities and show up as your best self.

Of course, creating the right environment is just one piece of the puzzle. If you need additional support with sustained focus and mental clarity throughout your day, Brainzyme offers scientifically proven plant-powered focus supplements designed to help you perform at your peak.

Discover how Brainzyme works and find the formula that's right for your unique brain.