Let There Be Light: And Better Health—Study Shows How Light Can Literally Brighten Your Health!

Sunlight: not just for selfies! Turns out, getting a little light in your life can do wonders for your health. Who knew?

Sunlight: The original health supplement—no prescription needed! (Representative Image: Freepik)

Published on:

03 Dec 2024, 10:19 am

A recent study published in The Conversation shows how important light is in controlling our body’s internal clock, called the circadian rhythm. This 24-hour cycle controls everything from when we wake up to when we eat and sleep. Light helps keep this clock running smoothly, ensuring that our health stays balanced. It influences our hormones, sleep, digestion, and much more. In short, light is more than just a part of the day—it’s the key to keeping our body in rhythm.

Light helps keep the body’s internal clock running smoothly, ensuring that our health remains balanced. (Image: Freepik)

Circadian Rhythm: The Body’s 24-Hour Clock

The circadian rhythm is like the body’s natural timer. It’s a system of genes and proteins that help regulate everything from sleep to body temperature. The main clock is located in the hypothalamus in the brain, but every cell in the body has its own smaller clock. These clocks work together to adjust to the day-night cycle, making sure everything happens at the right time.

The main clock is located in the hypothalamus in the brain. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

This system helps manage important functions like sleeping, eating, and even hormone production. The circadian rhythm ensures that all processes happen when they should, keeping the body healthy and in balance.

The Role of Light in Resetting Our Body’s Clock

Each day, our body’s internal clock needs to be reset to stay on track. Light is the signal that helps it do this.

When we’re exposed to natural light, the brain stops making melatonin, a hormone that makes us feel sleepy. As night comes, melatonin production rises, helping us fall asleep.

This balance between light and dark is key to regulating our sleep and energy levels throughout the day.

The right amount of light exposure at the right time helps keep our body’s clock on track.

The Dark Side of Light Exposure at Night

While sunlight during the day is important, light at night can be harmful. Artificial light from things like screens, lamps, and streetlights can mess with our natural sleep cycle. This can throw off our body’s internal clock.

Artificial light from things like screens, lamps, and streetlights can mess with our natural sleep cycle. (Image: Pexels)

When our circadian rhythm is disrupted, it can lead to problems like trouble sleeping, mood changes, and even physical health issues like heart problems or poor blood sugar control. In the long run, getting too much light at night can increase the risk of serious health problems like depression or anxiety.

In the long run, getting too much light at night can increase the risk of serious health problems like depression or anxiety. (Image: Pexels)

Circadian Rhythm and Digestion

Our digestive system also works on a circadian rhythm. The muscles in our colon that help move waste are more active during the day. This rhythm is influenced by both the body’s clock and when we eat. Eating at irregular times or getting light exposure at the wrong times can upset this system, leading to digestive issues and discomfort.

The muscles in our colon that help move waste are more active during the day. (Image: Pixabay)

Maintaining a Healthy Internal Clock

To stay healthy, it’s important to maintain a good balance of light exposure. This balance can improve sleep, digestion, and overall health.

Getting outside during the day helps set the body’s clock, while limiting light at night—especially from screens—helps the body produce melatonin, allowing you to rest better.

Limiting light at night—especially from screens—helps the body produce melatonin, allowing you to rest better. (Representative image: Pexels)

In conclusion, light is much more than just a part of our daily lives. It helps our body stay in sync with its natural rhythms, making sure everything works as it should. By getting the right amount of light at the right times, we can improve our health and feel better every day.

Reference:

1. The Conversation. (2024). How light regulates the body’s circadian rhythm and health. Retrieved from The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/global/topics/circadian-rhythms-94

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Sreelekshmi P/MSM)

L-G Lays Foundation Stone of Kashmir Medical College & Hospital

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