All lit up?
1st November 2011
All lit up?
Throw those curtains wide! The relationship between light and happiness is more important than you might have thought.
Light helps our bodies know what to do and when to do it
Did you know that light helps to trigger many of our bodily functions? Our brains take cues from the natural light that’s around us to control hormones associated with sleepiness, wakefulness, hunger, cardiovascular efficiency and much more. In this article we’ll be looking at the relationship between two of the hormones used to regulate sleep patterns that also have an effect on your mood.
Say hello to melatonin and serotonin. They’re controlling you right now.
Melatonin is a hormone used to control sleep patterns. As it’s released you start to feel sleepy. When your brain winds down production you begin to wake up. Simple. Its opposite number is called serotonin and it’s associated with wakefulness, happiness and the feeling of general wellbeing. Experts have discovered a complex relationship between sunlight, melatonin and serotonin that they’re only just beginning to understand.
It’s thought that when you wake up in the morning and open the curtains, the optic nerve detects natural daylight and sends a message to the part of the brain that controls melatonin, telling it to decrease production. So throwing the curtains wide really can help you wake up in the morning! And when the sun goes down? You guessed it. Your brain detects the darkness and begins to step up the release of melatonin.
So what’s the role of serotonin? Well, when the brain detects natural light it increases the amount of serotonin that is released into your body. The more sunlight you are exposed to, the more serotonin is released. It gives credence to the popular belief that sunshine can make you feel happy, as serotonin levels are directly associated with mood and happiness.
A lack of natural light can confuse your body
The intention of this system is for “uptime” during the day and “downtime” during the night. But it’s not always that simple. There’s much less sunlight around at this time of year and it’s thought that this can have an adverse affect on the levels of serotonin and melatonin in your system. More melatonin can make you feel sluggish and tired while less serotonin can sometimes lead to feeling a little down in the dumps. Interestingly, it’s thought that people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder are particularly sensitive to a lack of light.
Sunlight and Vitamin D
When skin is exposed to sunlight it triggers our bodies to produce Vitamin D. This important vitamin helps to maintain the immune system, bones and teeth. Experts recommend trying to get 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure three times a week. The problem is that’s easier said than done in the winter months.
Feeling blue? Don’t worry. It’s probably not your fault.
Next time you’re feeling a bit low, it’s comforting to remember that it might not be your fault. It could simply be the result of a chemical reaction in your body caused by a lack of exposure to natural light. So stop worrying about your job, your bank balance and everything else that’s weighing you down. The cure for these winter blues is waiting at the door. Get out there!
Don’t forget there’s a chance to carry out your own light therapy by winning a SAD light in this month’s competition. See here for details.