Sleep refers to a state of suspended motor and sensory activity in animals, and is defined by total or partial consciousness. According to research, sleep patterns vary significantly across the globe. Differences can be found in societies where sources of artificial light exist when compared to those where they are not as common.
Research indicates that cultures with less artificial light (mostly in the old days) have broken-up sleep patterns. Thus, people tend to sleep in periods, waking up after every few hours depending on various things. However, it has been proven that light plays a crucial role in the way people wake up after sleeping. Apparently, sleep patterns have changed after the inception of the artificial light, with people generally sleeping for solid hours and waking up after a constant amount of sleep, as opposed to waking up after short spans of time.
Researchers are still investigating as to how the bright light is able to overcome depression, in addition to resetting a sleep cycle. One theory is that an area of the brain, near the visual pathway, responds to light by sending out a signal to suppress the secretion of a hormone called melatonin. This hormone, according to a proof, is able to induce sleep when the drive to sleep is not sufficient, and is able to inhibit the drive for wakefulness; thus, playing a role in how people sleep and wake up.
While earlier research indicated the visual pathways and the regulation of melatonin as a reason for this change in the sleep cycle, more recent researches have shown that if one applies bright light to the back of the knee, it may cause a shift in a the daily sleep-wake schedule. This revelation has suggested that the blood stream also has an effect on the biological clock, along with the neurons found in the visual cortex.
Light can also play a role in how people wake up when suffering from certain disorders. An example would be the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Also known as winter depression or winter blues, it is a mood disorder during which people with normal mental health experience depressive symptoms in the winter or, less frequently, in the summer, spring or fall, year after year.
The symptoms of this disorder include abnormal sleep patterns. Light therapy, involving light bulbs providing intense illumination, is used as a form of treatment, which is effective.
When a person is asleep and the curtains are sharply drawn to reveal intense sunlight, he/she is usually woken up harshly. The sunlight definitely affects the person, causing the eyelids to flicker open. A person woken up in such a way would most probably be irritated.
It has been observed that recently, many products in the market, including light bulbs and lamps etc, come with features that allow the intensity of light to increase gradually, so as not to jolt a person awake. Most people find this option more tolerable and pleasant, and prefer it to sudden intense light, just as nature intended with its gradual sunrises. Thus, it is evident that light plays a role in our sleep as well as our emotions and wake up schedules.
Research indicates that cultures with less artificial light (mostly in the old days) have broken-up sleep patterns. Thus, people tend to sleep in periods, waking up after every few hours depending on various things. However, it has been proven that light plays a crucial role in the way people wake up after sleeping. Apparently, sleep patterns have changed after the inception of the artificial light, with people generally sleeping for solid hours and waking up after a constant amount of sleep, as opposed to waking up after short spans of time.
Researchers are still investigating as to how the bright light is able to overcome depression, in addition to resetting a sleep cycle. One theory is that an area of the brain, near the visual pathway, responds to light by sending out a signal to suppress the secretion of a hormone called melatonin. This hormone, according to a proof, is able to induce sleep when the drive to sleep is not sufficient, and is able to inhibit the drive for wakefulness; thus, playing a role in how people sleep and wake up.
While earlier research indicated the visual pathways and the regulation of melatonin as a reason for this change in the sleep cycle, more recent researches have shown that if one applies bright light to the back of the knee, it may cause a shift in a the daily sleep-wake schedule. This revelation has suggested that the blood stream also has an effect on the biological clock, along with the neurons found in the visual cortex.
Light can also play a role in how people wake up when suffering from certain disorders. An example would be the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Also known as winter depression or winter blues, it is a mood disorder during which people with normal mental health experience depressive symptoms in the winter or, less frequently, in the summer, spring or fall, year after year.
The symptoms of this disorder include abnormal sleep patterns. Light therapy, involving light bulbs providing intense illumination, is used as a form of treatment, which is effective.
When a person is asleep and the curtains are sharply drawn to reveal intense sunlight, he/she is usually woken up harshly. The sunlight definitely affects the person, causing the eyelids to flicker open. A person woken up in such a way would most probably be irritated.
It has been observed that recently, many products in the market, including light bulbs and lamps etc, come with features that allow the intensity of light to increase gradually, so as not to jolt a person awake. Most people find this option more tolerable and pleasant, and prefer it to sudden intense light, just as nature intended with its gradual sunrises. Thus, it is evident that light plays a role in our sleep as well as our emotions and wake up schedules.
About the Author:
Rosana Horowitz is an health expert. She is assisting people in getting out of depression and she has recommended many products like srs light. You can use it for living a depression free life. For more information visit http://www.bodykind.com.
Inlägg
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar