The effects of light and darkness on health are well documented. Let’s study the effect of sunlight on health by studying the phenomenon of sunlight deprivation.
Sunlight Deprivation
Sunlight deprivation is a common phenomenon. Although people mistakenly think they can suffer from sunlight deprivation only in the winter, it happens throughout the year. Sunlight deprivation adversely affects the body, mind and skin.
The Sun and the Mind
Mood swings are one common effect of lack of sunlight. We may not realize this but when we are feeling low – especially in winter, a lack of sunlight may be the cause. A lack of sunlight causes the stoppage of serotonin production in the brain. This can lead to highly depressive behavior. It is a chemical reaction and to avoid it you need to get enough light.
Sunlight also produces vitamin D in the body. If you are not getting enough sunlight, you may want to take a vitamin supplement with vitamin D. This will lessen the bad effects of not getting enough sunlight.
Self Observation
To get a proper idea on the effect of sunlight on behavior, observe yourself during summer-spring and also during autumn-winter. You may have noted higher levels of energy during spring-summer. Many people don’t realize the cause of this change in energy. Winter may see you feeling a lack of sleep leading to a decrease in the energy level.
The darkness of winter is the actual cause of the bad mood during this season. The darkness causes a mood response in you that is usually a low mood. As sunlight decreases, brain neurons die. Darkness makes you feel low, irritable and it makes you avoid doing anything. These winter blues are called SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Too Much Sunlight is Unhealthy
However spending too much time in the sun is unhealthy as well. It can cause dryness of skin, wrinkles, skin irritation, redness and break outs. If you receive the correct amount of sunlight you will find your skin glowing and dry and cracked skin will smoothen out. In addition you will find acne healing.
Lack of sunlight is bad for your energy levels. It causes depression. A person who is depressed feels bad all the time. The mind alters in this negative state. A person feels like doing nothing – staying at home and lying on the couch all day. Depression means burdened emotions and stressful thoughts. These thoughts are like a leaking tap of energy. Get enough sunlight to avoid depression.
As a solution to sunlight many people opt for natural sunlight lamps. Here the artificial light works like sunlight on the body. They take about 20 minutes of exposure to work. You can even buy them over the counter. You should make sure you need them – although there is nothing like natural sunlight. Use a good sunscreen for protection and enjoy sunshine with body and mind.
LED Lights Substitute Sunlight
You get LED lights that come in warm white and natural daylight/cool white. Warm white gives you yellowish warm light. It is like incandescent light bulbs and is relaxing and comforting and good for the mood. Natural daylight white is like sunlight and simulates the light from the sun. It is crisp, clean and refreshes the body and mind.
LED and Plants
One analogy to understand how LED affects the human body is by comparing how it affects plants. Indoor lights have been proven to be beneficial for plant growth. These are called grow lights. Grow lights can produce the high temperature of natural lights. There are several types of grow lights like high intensity discharge lamps, florescent lamps, incandescent bulbs and importantly – LED.
You can buy these lights in offline stores and online as well. Just as they benefit plants they can benefit the human body as well. So kick out those blues – get enough sunlight outside and enough LED indoors.
