Being outside and absorbing the natural light has a positive effect on people’s physical and mental health. Light can have an impact on sleep, mood, and well-being.
I know that in the summertime, when it is bright out and I spend hours at the beach or just outside at the pool, my mood is immediately better. But, light can also have a negative effect on things like sleep, mood, and well being as well.
For many years now, I have been sleeping with LED lights on. When I first started using the lights, I was sleeping with them on the blue setting. It wasn’t until my mom told me that blue lights were the worst kinds of light that you can go to sleep with that I stopped using my LEDs at night. After researching it, sleeping with blue lights on can disrupt your sleep pattern and cause you to get poor sleep at night. This goes the same for using your phone, watching TV, or even using your computer before bed. I have learned that, for me, to get better sleep, I have to try to stop using my phone at least an hour to two hours before bed.
Following the idea of blue lights and harming your health, this type of light can also cause strain to your eyes. Now more than ever, as college students, we are constantly on our computers and phones, and for me, staring at my class work for hours on a screen is hard on my head, eyes, and overall well-being. An easy way to combat these effects is through wearing blue light blocking glasses.
But, light can also have a positive effect on your sleep quality. Natural light from the sun in the morning can serve as an internal alarm clock for some people, which can lead to better sleep and alertness throughout the day.
Additionally, being exposed to natural light has several positive effects on our mood, skin health, and well-being. I know that for me, when I go outside, I feel much better compared to sitting inside all day and getting no sunlight.
Being in the light is overall a very good thing and can help us to be happier and healthier human beings.
