Changing Sleep Patterns Caused By Light Conditions?

Increasing levels of light at night and too little light during day affects sleep patterns causing long-term health problems, says study.

17:02 16 April 2015

It is proven that most people these days do not get enough sleep and this problem worsens due to increasing levels of light at night while there’s little light during the day. According to a study, this disrupts our natural processes and sleep patterns leading to long-term health problems. 

 

Endogenous circadian rhythm refers to physiological processes that control that daily cycle of sleep and wake, hunger, activity levels, body temperature, as well as melatonin level in the blood. It relies on the sun to reset its cycle at about 24 hours. Light at night disrupts this cycle and this light may be coming from your phone, tablet, or compact fluorescent lamp.  Exposure to these light sources can prevent primordial physiological transition to night from occurring, making it harder for the body to sleep. This causes long-term health problems including diabetes, obesity, depression, and cancer. 

 

Individuals who want to achieve an optimum circadian health should get bright light from the sun every day and use dim, longer wavelength light in the evening. They must also sleep in total darkness.