Are you light deprived?

Most of us are light deprived and we are paying for it with our health.  We spend the majority of our day working indoors with little or no bright light and then rush home to spend more time indoors to read, watch television, use the computer, listen to music, or exercise.  Even when we do get out in the sun we wear dark sunglasses to protect us from harmful UV light, but in doing so, we block the beneficial rays from the sun.

We are living an indoor existence… in a light-deprived world and are paying for it with our health.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Circadian rhythm refers to the natural biological cycle that controls how we are attuned to night and day.  Most people function on a circadian rhythm of about 24 hours.  Factors outside the body, especially bright light, help to set the internal clock.  A circadian rhythm disorder means your body is producing hormones, chemicals and neurotransmitters in the wrong amounts and/or at the wrong time of the day.  The natural sleep schedule changes so that the person is out of phase with day and night.  Circadian rhythms permeate practically every aspect of our lives because they so heavily influence the chemicals that determine our mood and sleep.

The circadian rhythm influences how a person feels - if a person desires optimal health, they need to manage their circadian rhythm.  If a circadian rhythm is out of balance, other health aspects will be out of balance as well.