Posts

Can Red Light Therapy Help You Sleep Better? Here's What the Science Says

Image
If you're like many people struggling to get a good night's rest, you've probably tried everything from melatonin supplements to sleep masks—and maybe even counting sheep. But there's one sleep aid you might not have considered yet: red light therapy . It might sound futuristic, but this science-backed wellness tool is gaining attention for its ability to improve sleep. Let’s explore how red light therapy works and how it might help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling more refreshed.  What Is Red Light Therapy? Red light therapy (RLT) involves exposing your body to low wavelengths of red or near-infrared light—typically between 620 and 850 nanometers (nm) . Unlike harsh blue or white lights, red light mimics the soothing glow of a sunset, making it a perfect addition to your evening wind-down routine. Here Is How Red Light Therapy Can Improve Your Sleep 1. Boosts Melatonin Naturally Melatonin is your body's natural sleep hormone, and its production is h...

Aging Gracefully: How Red LightTherapy Recharges Your Body and Mind"

Image
    Hi, my name is Mary Elges, and I’m thrilled to be opening a red light therapy studio in Boulder in June of 2025 called the Light Lounge! You might be wondering, what is red light therapy, and why would I need it? Simply put, it’s a safe, natural, and powerful way to boost your energy, reduce pain and inflammation, and restore a youthful glow to your skin—all by using light your body already understands. As we age, our bodies naturally produce more inflammatory compounds due to cellular stress, hormonal changes, and accumulated damage from things like poor diet, pollution, and lack of sleep. Our cells become less efficient at repairing themselves, and the immune system can become overactive, causing chronic low-grade inflammation —also known as “inflammaging.” This kind of persistent inflammation is linked to joint pain, fatigue, slower healing, and even visible signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging skin. Red light therapy helps by delivering specific wavelengths of...

Sport Performance and Recovery with Red Light Therapy

Image
Hello, my name is Mary Elges I'm the owner of Light Lounge Boulder. As an X pro athlete, I know how important recovery is to improve athletic performance. Recovery is crucial for athletes because it’s the process that allows the body to repair, adapt, and grow stronger after training. Without proper recovery, performance suffers, injury risk increases, and long-term progress stalls. Here's a breakdown of why it's so essential: 🧬 1. Muscle Repair and Growth Intense training causes microtears in muscle fibers . Recovery is when these fibers are repaired and become stronger and more resilient . Skipping recovery disrupts this process and can lead to muscle breakdown instead of growth. ⚡ 2. Restores Energy Systems Training depletes glycogen stores and causes metabolic fatigue. Recovery replenishes energy reserves, preparing the body for the next session. 🧠 3. Nervous System Reset The central nervous system also gets taxed, especially with heavy li...

My Red Light Therapy Journey – From Chronic Pain to a New Beginning

Image
 Hi, I’m Mary Elges I am a professional cyclist and Ski Instructor living in Evergreen, Colorado and I wanted to kick off my blog by sharing my personal red light therapy story—one that completely changed the course of my life. Back in 2014, while training for the USAC National Pro Downhill Championship, I suffered a serious mountain bike crash. I flew over the handlebars at high speed and slammed into the ground, landing hard on my hip. The injury was severe, and as the years passed, the pain only worsened. I walked with a limp, dreaded physical activity, and anytime I tried to ride my bike or go for a hike, I paid for it with intense pain during and after. I tried just about every form of therapy—physical therapy, dry needling, massage, stretching—you name it. But nothing brought lasting relief. The pain continued to increase, and my hip grew weaker. I’ve never been a big fan of doctors, but eventually, with encouragement from close friends, I went to see an orthopedic special...