Sleep is the natural and periodic state of rest that all the animals go through. Sleeping habits are different in different parts of the world. These differences are visible between the cultures where artificial light is used and the ones where it is not common.
Research material has proven that primitive cultures, or those with a lower prevalence of artificial lighting, tend to see an interval-based sleeping pattern. People were observed sleeping in short episodes, waking after every few hours for numerous reasons. It has been proven that light is a very important aspect to the sleep-wake schedule of a person, and this schedule has actually been observed to be different with the input of artificial lighting. It has been observed that with the advent of artificial light, people were more prone to sleeping at a stretch.
Studies are still being conducted into how bright lights help change the sleep-wake schedule of a person and how do they deal with depression. Researchers have hypothesized that light entering the visual cortex causes a reaction which triggers the suppression of melatonin. This hormone is a major catalyst in our sleep-wake cycle. It can induce sleep even when our bodies are not sufficiently tired and thus, can also be expected to work in the opposite way, given different stimuli, having a major effect on the way we sleep.
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 can also play a role in how people wake up when suffering from certain disorders. An example would be the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Also known as winter depression or winter blues, it is a mood disorder during which people with normal mental health experience depressive symptoms in the winter or, less frequently, in the summer, spring or fall, year after year.
Symptoms have been known to include abnormal sleep patterns. In such a scenario, light therapy, which involves high intensity bulbs providing illumination, has been found to be an effective form of healing.
As everyone may have observed at some point, when somebody is woken up by drawing the curtains to allow sunlight into a room, he/she normally wakes up immediately; manifesting the effect light has on the sleep of a person. However, a person woken in this manner is more likely to be irritable.
Recently, many more products have been commenced in the market that introduce light to the room gradually rather than throwing immediate harsh lighting. This helps a person wake up slowly; as compared to the shock one receives due to sudden exposure to bright lights. Most people find this new option a friendlier choice. Therefore, we can conclude that light does play an important role in our lives and in out sleep-wake patterns. - 29881
Research material has proven that primitive cultures, or those with a lower prevalence of artificial lighting, tend to see an interval-based sleeping pattern. People were observed sleeping in short episodes, waking after every few hours for numerous reasons. It has been proven that light is a very important aspect to the sleep-wake schedule of a person, and this schedule has actually been observed to be different with the input of artificial lighting. It has been observed that with the advent of artificial light, people were more prone to sleeping at a stretch.
Studies are still being conducted into how bright lights help change the sleep-wake schedule of a person and how do they deal with depression. Researchers have hypothesized that light entering the visual cortex causes a reaction which triggers the suppression of melatonin. This hormone is a major catalyst in our sleep-wake cycle. It can induce sleep even when our bodies are not sufficiently tired and thus, can also be expected to work in the opposite way, given different stimuli, having a major effect on the way we sleep.
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 can also play a role in how people wake up when suffering from certain disorders. An example would be the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Also known as winter depression or winter blues, it is a mood disorder during which people with normal mental health experience depressive symptoms in the winter or, less frequently, in the summer, spring or fall, year after year.
Symptoms have been known to include abnormal sleep patterns. In such a scenario, light therapy, which involves high intensity bulbs providing illumination, has been found to be an effective form of healing.
As everyone may have observed at some point, when somebody is woken up by drawing the curtains to allow sunlight into a room, he/she normally wakes up immediately; manifesting the effect light has on the sleep of a person. However, a person woken in this manner is more likely to be irritable.
Recently, many more products have been commenced in the market that introduce light to the room gradually rather than throwing immediate harsh lighting. This helps a person wake up slowly; as compared to the shock one receives due to sudden exposure to bright lights. Most people find this new option a friendlier choice. Therefore, we can conclude that light does play an important role in our lives and in out sleep-wake patterns. - 29881
About the Author:
Rosana Horowitz is an health expert. She is assisting 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.
