Effect Of Light On Sleeping Patterns
Sleep is a regularly recurring condition of rest for the body and mind, during which the eyes are usually closed, and there is little or no consciousness. Research shows that sleeping patterns deviate for different cultures, and change in these patterns can be found significantly for cultures that use a lot of artificial light and the ones which do not.
Investigation shows that the cultures, which do not believe in using much artificial light, like old times, experience broken-up sleep patterns. These people normally sleep in fits and bouts for a few hours at a time, waking at intervals for a variety of reasons. The invention of light into the households has actually shown a change in sleeping habits, resulting in more solid sleep as compared to the earlier naps.
Researchers are still trying to figure out as to how bright lights can help a person change his sleeping patterns, or overcome depression. One theory that scientists have adopted is that when light enters the visual pathways, it triggers an area near the eye, which is responsible for signalling the suppression of melatonin, a hormone which helps regulate our sleep and wakefulness. Melatonin is capable of regulating our sleep-wake schedule and inducing sleep when body is not tired.
Initial theories suggested a pathway from the retina to this specific area of the brain. On the other hand, some latest research indicated that bright light applied to the back of the knee of an individual could shift human circadian rhythms (Daily sleep-wake cycle). This suggests that the bloodstream, in addition to the neurons of the visual pathways, might affect the biological clock.
Light may also help the mood of a person when he/she wakes up, specifically when suffering from certain disorders. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a good example of such an adversity. More commonly identified as the winter blues, it is a mood disorder which some people, who may have absolutely normal mental health in all other circumstances and throughout most of the year, face in cold weather. Sometimes, this phenomenon is also observed in other seasons, but is quite rare. Normally, this condition occurs repeatedly on an annual basis.
The symptoms of this disorder include abnormal sleep patterns. Light therapy, involving light bulbs providing intense illumination, is used as a form of treatment, which is effective.
When a person is asleep and the curtains are sharply drawn to reveal intense sunlight, he/she is usually woken up harshly. The sunlight definitely affects the person, causing the eyelids to flicker open. A person woken up in such a way would most probably be irritated.
Lately, many products in the market include lamps with light that increases the intensity gradually, so that a person wakes up slowly and is not exposed to severely intense light all of a sudden. Most people would find the latter option more pleasant, and would prefer it to intense light. Therefore, it is obvious that light plays a role in the wake up patterns of the up.
Investigation shows that the cultures, which do not believe in using much artificial light, like old times, experience broken-up sleep patterns. These people normally sleep in fits and bouts for a few hours at a time, waking at intervals for a variety of reasons. The invention of light into the households has actually shown a change in sleeping habits, resulting in more solid sleep as compared to the earlier naps.
Researchers are still trying to figure out as to how bright lights can help a person change his sleeping patterns, or overcome depression. One theory that scientists have adopted is that when light enters the visual pathways, it triggers an area near the eye, which is responsible for signalling the suppression of melatonin, a hormone which helps regulate our sleep and wakefulness. Melatonin is capable of regulating our sleep-wake schedule and inducing sleep when body is not tired.
Initial theories suggested a pathway from the retina to this specific area of the brain. On the other hand, some latest research indicated that bright light applied to the back of the knee of an individual could shift human circadian rhythms (Daily sleep-wake cycle). This suggests that the bloodstream, in addition to the neurons of the visual pathways, might affect the biological clock.
Light may also help the mood of a person when he/she wakes up, specifically when suffering from certain disorders. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a good example of such an adversity. More commonly identified as the winter blues, it is a mood disorder which some people, who may have absolutely normal mental health in all other circumstances and throughout most of the year, face in cold weather. Sometimes, this phenomenon is also observed in other seasons, but is quite rare. Normally, this condition occurs repeatedly on an annual basis.
The symptoms of this disorder include abnormal sleep patterns. Light therapy, involving light bulbs providing intense illumination, is used as a form of treatment, which is effective.
When a person is asleep and the curtains are sharply drawn to reveal intense sunlight, he/she is usually woken up harshly. The sunlight definitely affects the person, causing the eyelids to flicker open. A person woken up in such a way would most probably be irritated.
Lately, many products in the market include lamps with light that increases the intensity gradually, so that a person wakes up slowly and is not exposed to severely intense light all of a sudden. Most people would find the latter option more pleasant, and would prefer it to intense light. Therefore, it is obvious that light plays a role in the wake up patterns of the up.
About the Author:
Rosana Horowitz is an health expert. She is helping people in getting out of depression and she has recommended many products like srs light. You can use it for living a depression free life. For more information visit http://www.bodykind.com.
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