does Light from sensor emitted from Garmin watch cause disturbed sleep?

Personally, I do not stare under the watch when sleeping, and there is practically no light going out when I wear it. You can also cover the watch with a sleeve, a band, keep it under the cover, or attach the watch to the ankle instead of the wrist, if you fear being disturbed by some residual light from the watch sensor. The light is a monochromatic green with the wavelength of 530 nm.

"Thanks for the quick reply - maybe my mind was muddled with the thinking behind writing this post (I didn't realise - I wasn't sure whether the green sensor light on back actually goes off when it is put on the wrist for example (as an example) or whether it stays on 24/7 - I just noticed when in dark room waking up in night - will notice if I am up and have moved/woken from sleep will also notice the green light in between the area of my wrist (and watch strapped to skin)

I was having thoughts right now - PCS like latest windows 10/11 will have modes to filter blue light called night light mode - and also apple phone will have option night light mode - do you know if the (screen) the main screen on watch is also something that emits blue light (because don't see option for night light mode on these settings) that maybe I should switch the watch off one or two hours before sleeping to stop light blue light being emitted from it?

"ou can also cover the watch with a sleeve, a band, keep it under the cove"I am writing - abut the actual heart beat sensor (in between the back of screen on watch and area of contact - understan ? " 15 08l

TimothyBourner said:

do you know if the (screen) the main screen on watch is also something that emits blue light

Depends on what watch you own. My Instinct 2 has black & white reflective display, so there is no risk it could emit blue light. You best ask on the right forum for your watch model. This forum is for the iPhone app. And iPhones does have the blue light filtering feature too.

TimothyBourner said:

"ou can also cover the watch with a sleeve, a band, keep it under the cove"I am writing - abut the actual heart beat sensor (in between the back of screen on watch and area of contact - understan ? "

If you see the green light emitting from the sensor even if it is on the wrist, you have the option to cover it, or move somewhere where it does not disturb you. If you do not see any light coming out, then I do not understand your concern of being disturbed by it. 

I was writing - that strong lights or lights emitted - your skin detecting light can prevent body from falling asleep (understand? 

yeah I stopped using garmin app, wifi sync - when learnt about ...

19 48"L

are you saying that you don't know whether there is type forum for the Hr model? maybe someone else will respond to this thread? I am not sure what you mean by cover the the green light - you mean put something between the wrist and the back of the watch?*1

I don't know what instinct 2 looks like or what it is really - imagine it just looks like a more quality version of smart watch? Yeah I use the blue light filter on iphone I have - are you saying that I am using the wrong fourm here by saying this one is for the app? I thought this one was for garmin smart watches'

*1 yeah you can just switch it off or put the watch in a closed space like a cupboard

Vivoactive HR is a discontinued model and there is no forum for it. Only for Vivoactive 3 and 4 in the section Sports & Fitness.

The sensor light cannot disturb your sleep if you do not stare into the sensor (bottom side of the watch). If the light goes out from under the watch, and it disturbs your sleep, cover it

No blue filter is necessary for the sensor light, since it is a monochromatic green, no blue light in it at all. As for the display - configure it so, that it does not light in the night.

If you think you have a photosensitive skin, and can sense the light, and it disturbs you sleep, I recommend contacting a physician, since light allergy is a serious condition. And stop wearing the watch, or disable the sensor in the settings entirely. People with photosensitive reactions have problems exposing their skin to the daylight too (and that's much stronger than the light of sensor LED), so you'd probably notice it, though.

Thanks trux for getting back

Yeah maybe I do have photosensitive skin

I have Autism I am hypersensitive 

No I don't think I have a allergy to light per say

Have no problems with daylight sunlight, we are tropical creatures

Because of you being the only user on this forum which replied back to me here you have helped me make improvement in my sleep while trying to do a type of protocol for my health which involves taking night doses

I don't know exactly what it is , but If I just try to put the watch locked away in cupboard, or switch it off, as long as it is not on my body then I seem to have improved sleep and I don't know why that is

P- I am not sure if its understood part of reason for making post styled like I did was because I wasn't actually sure whether type of Green LED light shown in picture is something which stays on

Like maybe part of reason why made post was because thought that the green light shown in picture is always on (and could disturb someone with photosensitive skin for example

I just tried putting the watch on my wrist now - if I do the green light stays on for what like 15 30 45 seconds and then goes off

How come I was able to see/notice the green light when having the wrist whilst in bed I wonder?

Is that because settings change? like the green light starts when notices change in heart beat or start moving again from sleep?

I think it is a possibility that the LED watch screen interface front of watch releases blue light

Maybe I need to read over what you have written here again tux

TimothyBourner said:

How come I was able to see/notice the green light when having the wrist whilst in bed I wonder?

The sensor goes off after a couple of 15s cycles, when you remove the watch from the wrist. Otherwise, when on the wrist, it flashes every 15s, or even continuously (depending on the model, firmware, and usage mode). It is the light that allows detecting your heart rate. You can as well just turn off the HR sensor in the settings.

Your sleep may be disturbed simply mechanically by wearing the watch on the wrist. I wonder how you measured the quality of your sleep with and without the watch - did you conduce a polysomnographic test, or is it just a subjective feeling?

TimothyBourner said:

I think it is a possibility that the LED watch screen interface front of watch releases blue light

In the night the display usually does not emit any light at all. Unless you keep the display always on, which is not a good idea anyway (it consumes power, and the display burns out).

Thanks

I might not understand what is meant by "15 s cycles"

You are saying the green light flashes on wrist every 15 seconds?

I am not sure how it works why light is needed to detect heart rate?

Yeah maybe you are right mechanically the pressure from watch could be disturbing sleep - but would not think that myself as it is just a small watch

"a polysomnographic test"

says "Polysomnography, also known as a sleep study, is a diagnostic test used to identify sleep disorders."

Yeah what I Tim think is that types of smart watches in general don't seem to track sleep that well - they don't seem to give an accurate reading really - 

I find that smartwatches I have tried tend to not be able to actually pick up when you are not sleeping (and are lying in bed trying to fall asleep)

" wonder how you measured the quality of your sleep with and without the watch - did you conduce a polysomnographic test, or is it just a subjective feeling?" - yes I think I am just able to tell that I have improved sleep

Like I can tell when I have problems sleeping because I will just remember if I have struggled to fall asleep that night?

Like I have had it while trying to take night doses had insomnia while in protocol ...

14 47" ST

"night the display usually does not emit any light at all"

my version of HR watch - does is always switched on - when you touch/interact the watch it lights up with LED colour, but on home time watch screen showing the time it sort of just gives a black and white display look - am not sure if it is emitting strong light or not? Could show picture for you to understand what I am trying to say