Part 4 ~Light and Health~

The close relationship between light and health

Light and health are closely related and have a deep impact on our lives.
Light is an important element that regulates our internal body clock and controls the quality of our sleep and mood.

This time, we will introduce how light affects our lives and what role it plays for human health.

Light and its effects on health
Light has a profound effect on our health.
The quality and quantity of natural and artificial light plays an important role in many aspects of our health, including sleep, mental health, and metabolism.

sleep

Light has a large effect on sleep and is closely related to our body clock.
Artificial light at night can suppress melatonin secretion and reduce sleep quality.
To ensure proper sleep, it's important to limit the use of lights and digital devices before bed, and take time to relax in an environment with less light stimulation.

mind

Light is also an important element in mental health. Research shows that exposure to natural light can improve your mood and reduce stress.
In particular, a form of depression that occurs during the winter months called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is thought to be caused by a lack of natural light exposure.
Adequate sunbathing and spending time in an environment with appropriate brightness during the day are important ways to support mental health.

metabolism

Light also affects our metabolism. Exposure to sunlight in the morning resets the body's internal clock and activates energy metabolism.
Taking in natural light, especially in the morning, helps to adjust your body's internal clock and help your metabolism run smoothly.

The effects of light affect your overall health.
Maintaining an appropriate light environment can improve sleep quality, promote mental health, and normalize metabolism.
It's important to maximize the power of light and lead a healthy, balanced life by striving for natural light and adjusting your use of artificial light.

Lack of light or irregular light cycles

Lack of light or irregular light cycles can disrupt your body clock and cause health problems.
The body clock plays an important role in regulating our biological rhythms and controlling things like sleep, appetite, and energy levels.

Lack of light is one of the main factors that disrupts the rhythm of the body's internal clock.
For example, if you stay indoors for a long time and don't get much sunlight, your body clock won't be reset properly, making it difficult to maintain an accurate sleep-wake cycle.
This can lead to health problems such as insomnia and fatigue.

Irregular light cycles are also a factor that can disrupt your body clock.
For example, using bright lights or using digital devices late at night can delay the secretion of melatonin in your body clock, making it difficult to fall asleep and reducing the quality of your sleep.
Additionally, situations that make your daily rhythm irregular, such as shift work or jet lag, can also disrupt your body clock.

Disruption of the body's internal clock due to lack of light or irregular light cycles has been shown to have significant negative health effects.
To maintain an appropriate lighting environment, it is important to let in natural light during the day and create a dark environment at night.
Maintaining regular sleep and eating rhythms also helps adjust your body clock.

Health effects of using light

Light has many positive effects on our health.
Various health benefits can be obtained by utilizing light, such as phototherapy and sunbathing.

[Light therapy]

Phototherapy is a treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to improve psychological or physiological problems.
Light therapy is rapidly evolving in the medical field, opening up new possibilities.
Research into its effectiveness and scope of application is still ongoing.

For example, light therapy, used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and depression, improves mood and boosts energy levels by exposing people to bright light.
Light therapy has also been shown to help improve sleep disorders and cognitive function.

However, proper usage and precautions for light therapy are also important.
Overexposure or improper selection of wavelengths may lead to adverse effects.
It is important to receive light therapy in consultation with a medical professional and with proper guidance.

Phototherapy is a type of light therapy that uses specific wavelengths of light to promote physical and mental health.

Light therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of health conditions and diseases.
By irradiating light with specific wavelengths, it has the effect of promoting the healing of skin diseases and wounds.
Furthermore, light therapy is also attracting attention in the beauty field, where it is used to improve skin firmness, wrinkles, and fade age spots.

Additionally, specific wavelengths of light can be used to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders.
The brightness and tone of light can also affect your mood and energy level, which can contribute to your mental well-being.

In order to maximize the effects of light therapy, it is important to select the appropriate wavelength, intensity, and irradiation time of light.
Light therapy is safe and effective when performed under the guidance of a medical professional.

Light therapy is attracting more and more attention as medical technology advances.
Research on its effectiveness and range of applications is progressing day by day.

[Sunbathing]

Sunbathing also has positive effects on health.
Sunlight promotes the production of vitamin D, which is important for maintaining bone health and immune function.
Sunbathing is also effective in improving your mood and reducing stress.
By taking a moderate amount of sunbathing under natural light, you can have a relaxing and refreshing effect on your mind and body.

Natural light has the effect of promoting the production of vitamin D.
Adequate sun exposure helps improve bone health and immune function.
Sunbathing can also brighten your mood, reduce stress, and alleviate symptoms of depression.

However, when sunbathing, you need to be careful about the appropriate time and method.
Prolonged exposure or exposure to strong UV rays can cause sunburn and skin damage.
People with sensitive skin or who are at high risk of skin cancer should take adequate protection.

To enjoy sunbathing more comfortably, choose an appropriate time of day and use sun protection products such as sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.
You can also get exercise and relaxation benefits at the same time by combining it with walks and other activities in nature.

Sunbathing is a way to refresh yourself and support your health while enjoying the benefits of nature.

Light that promotes harmony between mind and body

The positive health effects of using light are wide-ranging.
Through light therapy and sunbathing, you can support your mental and physical health and live a more fulfilling life.

The health benefits of using light are certain, but proper usage and care are required. It is important to follow the proper time and method when performing phototherapy and sunbathing.
It is also important to be careful about overexposure to ultraviolet rays, and to use appropriate sunscreen and keep a reasonable time limit.

By letting in light for your health, you can promote harmony in your mind and body and live a better life.




Written by: BARREL Editorial Department
Supervised by: Yuki Oe (Lecturer, Department of Lifestyle Design, Faculty of Human Culture, University of Shiga Prefecture)
Lecturer at the University of Shiga Prefecture, Faculty of Human Culture (Department of Lifestyle Design).
She specializes in architectural environments, light environments, lighting environments, and color environments.
She is a member of the Architectural Institute of Japan/Illumination Institute of Japan.
After completing her doctoral course at Nara Women's University Graduate School of Humanities, she worked in technology planning at Sharp.
She worked as an assistant professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Tokyo University of Science and as a part-time lecturer at Osaka Jonan Women's Junior College before reaching her current position.