Understanding how Light Impacts our Health

HOW DOES LIGHT IMPACT OUR HEALTH?

Light is electromagnetic energy which travels at many different wavelengths and affects the brain, body and environment. Different wavelengths of light can penetrate tissues to different depths. Shortwave light (blue and UV light) doesn’t penetrate tissue easily beyond the top surface of the skin. Longwave light (red) can penetrate way beyond the top layer of tissue and maybe even down to bone. Think of light as a communicator of what’s going on in the environment around you and either taken at the surface or deeper and passed off as instructions to other areas or organs of the body.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Different types of light can change the way the cells and organs of the body work. The impact of light on the body is uniquely important because every cell in the body will have an altered function (for better or worse) when accessed by light. This is particularly important for our eye health and sleep.

HOW CAN WE CREATE A LIGHT ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS OUR WELLBEING?

Go outside & get direct UVB light on the skin and in the eyes. Benefits of direct UVB exposure on eyes & skin: enhanced immune function, increased turnover (growth) of stem cells in hair and nails, sleep regulation, faster wound healing, increases in hormones.

Limit your blue light exposure from screens by: not using digital devices for 2-3 hours before going to sleep, maintaining proper distance from your screens which is about an arm's length or 20-24 inches away from your eyes, avoid using screens in dimly lit rooms as this can increase eye strain, adjust screen settings to “Night Mode" or "Blue Light Filter”, consider wearing blue light Glasses/filters if you spend long hours in front of screens.

Limit your exposure to LEDS and fluorescent bulbs as they emit blue-containing white light. Opt for Incandescent or Halogen bulbs when possible and if not, a dimmable light helps. Try to find places in your home, school or work where you can get as much natural daylight coming in from a window.

Use redlight therapy if possible within three hours of waking, at a safe distance for a few minutes each day.