National Anti-Junk Light Day
September 10
About National Anti-Junk Light Day
National Anti-Junk Light Day takes place every year on 10 September and encourages people to rethink their relationship with artificial light. The day draws attention to “junk light”, the blue and green wavelengths produced by screens, LEDs and fluorescent bulbs that can disrupt sleep and eye health. It was created in 2018 by the wellness company TrueDark to help people protect their circadian rhythms in a world saturated with artificial illumination.
How to Celebrate National Anti-Junk Light Day
This is a day for small, practical changes you can put in place straight away. Here are eight ways to take part:
- Audit your evening lighting – Walk through your home after dark and note which bulbs glow harsh and blue. Swap the worst offenders for warm-white or amber bulbs that are gentler in the hours before bed.
- Turn on night mode – Activate the blue light filter or “night shift” setting on your phone, tablet and computer so the display shifts to warmer tones once the sun goes down.
- Try a screen curfew – Put devices away for the hour before sleep. Reading a paper book or listening to music instead gives your body a clearer signal that it is time to wind down.
- Dim the lights an hour early – Lower the brightness across your home in the evening to mimic the fading light of dusk and support natural melatonin production.
- Wear blue-light-blocking glasses – If you must use screens late, amber-tinted glasses can filter out the most disruptive wavelengths.
- Step outside in the morning – Getting bright natural daylight early in the day helps reset your body clock and makes you more resilient to evening light exposure.
- Switch off unnecessary lights – Reducing the lights left burning overnight cuts both junk light at home and the wider problem of light pollution outdoors.
- Spread the message – Share what you have learned with family, housemates and colleagues so the whole household benefits from a calmer evening light environment.
What is National Anti-Junk Light Day?
National Anti-Junk Light Day is an annual observance focused on the health effects of artificial light, particularly the high-energy blue and green light emitted by digital devices and modern bulbs. “Junk light” is the informal term for these wavelengths, which can trick the brain into thinking it is daytime and suppress the hormones that prepare the body for sleep. The day is aimed at anyone who spends long hours in front of screens or under artificial lighting, which in practice means almost everyone. Rather than asking people to give up technology, it promotes mindful habits that reduce unwanted light exposure at the wrong times of day.
When is National Anti-Junk Light Day?
National Anti-Junk Light Day falls on Thursday, 10 September 2026. It is observed on the same fixed date every year, so it is always easy to plan around. While it began as a United States observance, its message about screens and sleep resonates with people across the world.
The History of National Anti-Junk Light Day
The day was founded in 2018 by TrueDark, a company that makes glasses and products designed to filter out disruptive wavelengths of light. The founders wanted to give people a memorable annual prompt to think about how the lights around them affect their wellbeing, especially their sleep. The term “junk light” was coined as a deliberate echo of “junk food”, framing certain kinds of artificial light as something to consume in moderation.
The timing reflects a broader scientific conversation that gathered pace in the 2010s. Research from institutions including Harvard Medical School highlighted how blue light in the evening shifts the body clock and reduces the quality of sleep more than warmer wavelengths do. As smartphones, tablets and energy-efficient LED bulbs became part of daily life, exposure to blue-rich light after dark rose sharply, and awareness campaigns like this one emerged in response.
In the years since, manufacturers have built blue-light filters into operating systems and bulbs, and “night mode” has become a standard feature on most devices. National Anti-Junk Light Day continues to act as a yearly reminder that these tools exist and are worth using.
Fun Facts About National Anti-Junk Light Day
- The phrase “junk light” was coined to mirror “junk food”, suggesting some artificial light is best limited rather than avoided entirely.
- Light pollution is estimated to affect around 83 percent of the world’s population, washing out the night sky for most people.
- Blue light has the shortest wavelength and highest energy of the visible spectrum, which is why it has the strongest effect on the body clock.
- Daylight itself is rich in blue light, which is helpful in the morning but counterproductive late at night.
- The hormone melatonin, which signals the body to prepare for sleep, is particularly sensitive to evening light exposure.
- Many modern devices now schedule their warm “night” display automatically based on local sunset and sunrise times.
Why National Anti-Junk Light Day Matters
Sleep underpins almost every aspect of physical and mental health, and the light we surround ourselves with in the evening has a direct effect on how well we rest. By encouraging simple adjustments, the day helps people reclaim better sleep without expensive equipment or drastic lifestyle changes. Cutting unnecessary artificial light also has a wider benefit, easing the light pollution that disrupts wildlife and hides the stars. If you enjoy a clearer night sky, you might also appreciate National Meteor Watch Day, which celebrates the wonder of the heavens above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Anti-Junk Light Day?
It is an annual observance on 10 September that raises awareness of “junk light”, the blue and green wavelengths from screens and artificial bulbs that can disrupt sleep and eye health. It promotes simple habits to reduce evening light exposure.
When is National Anti-Junk Light Day in 2026?
It takes place on Thursday, 10 September 2026, and is observed on the same date every year.
Who created National Anti-Junk Light Day?
The day was founded in 2018 by TrueDark, a wellness company specialising in products that filter disruptive wavelengths of light.
Spread the Word
Join the conversation and share your evening light swaps on social media with #AntiJunkLightDay and #AntiJunkLightDay2026. Tag a friend who scrolls in bed and challenge them to a screen curfew tonight. A few simple changes shared widely can help a lot of people sleep better.
Related Awareness Days
- National Daylight Appreciation Day – A celebration of natural daylight and the role it plays in our wellbeing.
- Boycott Your Bed – A fundraising challenge that gets people thinking about rest and those without a comfortable place to sleep.
- World Wellbeing Week – A global week dedicated to all aspects of personal and community wellbeing.
Links
Featured image: Photo by nacer eddine on Unsplash.
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