Table of Contents
Introduction
Outdoor Workouts? “Exposure to bright light during the day is as important as avoiding light at night,” says psychologist and sleep researcher sean Kayne of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. And his previous experimental studies have shown the impact of artificial light on sleep and the biological clock.
Studies Done on Outdoor Workouts
In their new observational study, Kayne and his colleagues looked at the impact of exposure to sunlight on sleep and mood in more than 400,000 people at UK Biobank (Biobank: A Long-Term Biological Study in the UK.
Investigating the impact of genetic predisposition and the environment on the development of the disease), including the UK’s adult study. Which collected information on everything from exercise and sleep habits to medical diagnoses and health outcomes.
People were asked about their moods, yoga, medications. How long they spent time out on a typical day in summer and winter, and other things.
On average, UK adults reported spending two and a half hours out in the light of day, generally spending more time out than night time.
A previous study showed that spending time in nature brings health benefits. Partly related to the fact that light is the most critical external. Or environmental influence in the body’s biological clock.
The group explains in the research paper: “humans develop in an environment where day and night distinguish. But our modern environments have obliterated this distinction. As people spend most of their waking hours in the medium industrial light. Due to their lack of exposure to sunlight as well as exposure to bright light at night.”
Lack of exposure to Natural Light
It can lead to sleep disorders, light inhibits melatonin. A sleep-induced hormone, and previous studies by cayenne and his team have found that nearly half of homes in the Melbourne study are exposed to enough light to inhibit melatonin by 50%. Yet, individuals’ sensitivity to artificial light varies.
In their recent study, Kayne and his colleagues identified how the number of hours spent in daylight was associated with mood. Sleep and health outcomes. A subject that was not studied as much as the harmful effects of light at night.
Analysis showed that exposure to sunlight at any time between dawn. And sunset associating with a better mood. And sleep and a lower risk of depression and anti-doping.
Every extra hour in natural light associating with a lower likelihood of depression, less use of antibiotics, and greater happiness. Moreover, those who reported better moods and sleep due to greater exposure to natural light tended to confirm it again when asked about it about four years ago later.
Representing data with a subset of 20,000 people enabled researchers to assess the effect of external light on mood and sleep and control balanced personal habits. The study adjusting according to quarterly differences. Functional status, exercises, social activities, amount of sleep and everything that affects mental health.
The Results of Outdoor Workouts
The study results were somewhat predictable based on our knowledge of light, nature, sleep patterns and moods. Still, the encouraging thing about them was their large size. And their presentation of the effects of spending more time outside.
Since this observational study depends on people answering questions about their daily habits and health, there may be differences between their actual and reported behaviour. For example, although this research suggests that getting out of the house helps improve mood and sleep. It is not easy for everyone to apply.
Soaking up sunlight during daylight hours is a challenge for shift workers whose work is in contrast to the biological clock. And waking up early before the position is not ideal for lines or different biological clock holders.
According to a recent study analysing UK Biobank data, some research says challenging the biological body clock is harmful to mental health. Which found that physical clock offenders were more likely to be depressed and poorly healthy.
But what’s interesting is balancing the study’s findings on the risks of depression with the use of antidepressants. And those growing evidence that light therapy is adequate but not sufficiently exploited to treat depression. Especially with the help of medications.
