Lights On for a Sound Mind and Body

Illumination has valuable medical applications. During the 1980’s, it was widely used to lessen the symptoms of winter blues, a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) characterised by the onset of depressive symptoms during the cold months. Its main cause has not been identified, but it has something to do with hormonal imbalances. Symptoms include irritability, depression, sleepiness, and loss of appetite.

A number of studies have proven that the use of bright light resulted to an evident improvement in the mood of patients suffering from SAD. Light works by elevating the happy hormone serotonin and decreasing the hormone melatonin, a substance that induces sleep. In addition, the use of illumination has been proven to effectively treat insomnia and stabilise the sleep- wake pattern of a person, setting the circadian rhythm back to normal.

Now, besides the winter blues, this form of treatment is also used in certain dermatological cases. One example of which is psoriasis. Skin specialists these days use the strategy to alleviate the symptoms of the disease, which is often characterised by the presence of plaques in the elbows knees, scalp, palms, and feet.

Light therapy is indeed effective. However, before you go under one, it is recommended that you must first talk with your physician. With proper supervision, certain preparative measures will be done before the therapy. Of course, anyone can do this at home. Simply exposing yourself to sunlight early in the morning will give you the benefits mentioned above. Putting enough illumination inside your house will help decrease the chances of developing certain psychological alterations as well.