Even these days, in a world dominated by artificial light, the human body is biologically programmed to respond to the stimulation of sunlight and its circadian rhythm should follow the alternation of day and night. When these cycles are altered, this can result in stress, tiredness, psychological and physical problems which can affect people's daily lives. As autumn sets in, with winter right around the corner, the days are getting shorter and these risks grow, so it is essential that you respect your biorhythm and take a series of precautions to keep your mental and physical well-being intact.
According to Swedish architect, psychologist and researcher Karl Ryberg, the author of the book entitled Living Light: The Art of Using Light for Health and Happiness, finding your natural biorhythm helps people fight a number of health issues and recover positive energy. Ryberg, an expert and pioneer of light therapy, provides some very insightful tips in his book. First of all, as many authoritative studies on the subject have proven, natural sunlight has a major effect on the human body and mind, while living solely on artificial light could have negative consequences. This is why forcing yourself to spend time outdoors even in autumn and winter is important, whether this is going for a walk on your lunch break or using your bike to go to work: this is good for your health, for your mood and for the environment. Better still if these activities take place surrounded by nature, whose benefits are extraordinary. For people forced to endure city life, local parks are places you should make the most of.
Spending a few hours in the open air improves your mood and productivity, while minimising physical problems. Even when you're indoors, you can still improve your relationship with light, for instance trying to use blue (cold) lights during the day, to stay active, and yellow-orange (warm) lights in the evening, in order to prepare your body and your eyes for rest. Another fundamental aspect is the time at which you go to bed and when you wake up, which determines your ability to adapt to the biorhythm. Obviously, it is impossible and actually unhealthy to sleep all the hours of darkness outside. However, doctors, psychologists and scholars of well-being almost unanimously believe in the benefits of getting up early in the morning. According to Ayurveda, alternative medicine with roots in ancient India, the best time to go to bed is around 10:30 pm, and it would be best to get up before eight.
We should generally have regular hours and avoid lying in even at the weekends. It is normal that we tend to sleep more in winter, as was revealed by recent research conducted by the American academy of sleep medicine. This is because the increase in hours of darkness extends the production of melatonin, the sleep-regulating hormone. Making sure you get a regular good night's sleep, in a room that isn't too hot and with just the right degree of humidity, and waking up quite early in the morning are the first steps to avoid suffering as winter sets in and daylight hours are reduced. Physical exercise or motor activity outdoors is another precious ally.
