The Power Of Light And Our Inner Clock

Light is always associated with positive emotions.  In the summer, when the days are longer and brighter, it feels like we are full of joy. There are no more unforgettable moments than lovely sunny days by the sea, picnics on the mountain or soaking up the sun on your private terrace. The power of light should not be underestimated.

Spring and summer are times of expansion with light, times of daring and experimentation. They act as a counterbalance to fall and winter, encouraging us to return to our shelter on rainy and short days.

Just as our moods and energies vary with the seasons, they also change with shorter cycles, such as night and day.

The power of light and natural cycles

The hypothalamus is a small area in the deepest part of the brain, called “Reptile brain”. It is an essential structure that regulates basic life processes such as body temperature, food and fluid intake or libido, and emotions. When we feel hunger or satiety, anxiety, or calmness… it all depends on the hormones secreted by this part of the brain.

Like everything related to the brain, it is very complex in structure. However, there is one thing we know for sure, namely that one of the decisive factors influencing the functioning of the hypothalamus is light from the outside world.

The brain has evolved in the heart of nature and the most “natural” thing is that during the day when the brain receives plenty of sunlight, they understand to be active. In contrast, the night when we are surrounded by darkness is a time of rest and renewal. Today, however, these episodes are no longer fixed. With the help of artificial light, we can stay awake until the wee hours of the morning.

This change in natural cycles upsets our inner clock and affects our health.

Respecting the natural cycle affects health

Our bodies and internal clocks are designed to honor periods of light. During the day, we need to be exposed to sunlight to maintain optimal energy levels. Artificial light does not replace sunlight. Because of this, exhaustion overwhelms us in many cases, and we feel the coffee we need to get everything done.

In the long run, a lack of direct sunlight increases the risk of developing depression. Because of this, when the days are shorter in winter and it is already dark when we leave for work, suffering from depression becomes more common. In addition to this, the sun is the main source of vitamin D, which is essential for the build-up of calcium in the bones. The power of light touches our bodies in so many ways.

Our way of waking up is important

Another amazing example of the power of light in our bodies is related to the way we wake up.  We usually set the alarm to ring at a certain time and that alarm interrupts our rest very suddenly. We put the light in the room and move from the darkness of the night to the light in just a second.

In nature, dawn is gradual and our brains are programmed to wake up this way. With the gradual increase in natural light, the brain awakens and gradually leaves the dream world. When we don’t respect our bodies this way, there’s nothing we can get out of bed. It’s so hard to start the morning!

In addition to the obvious drowsiness that bothers us when we get up, this way of waking up results in us carrying this exhaustion with us all day. This puts a lot of stress on us because the natural sleeping processes necessary for good rest and renewal have not worked properly.

Adjust the internal clock

We can do some things to adjust our internal clock:

• Try to adapt your schedule as much as possible to the natural cycles by listening to your body. Some people are more active in the morning and others in the afternoons, but staying awake for the wee hours of the morning is usually not good for anyone.

• During the day, try to spend as much time as possible in the natural light of the sun. This can be very difficult in our busy modern lives, but try to get direct sunlight for at least half an hour a day. Once again, the power of light is necessary.
• Try to make your surroundings as dark as possible during the hours before bedtime. Keep the lights on as little as possible and avoid the screens on your computer or mobile device if you can.
• Try not to wake up suddenly. Since it is almost impossible for most people to schedule a wake-up call in the morning, a good solution for this is an “alarm clock”. This is an alarm clock that illuminates the room gradually until we wake up, mimicking a real sunrise.