Artificial Light: How does it affect the body
Most of us spend our days surrounded by artificial light. From the moment we wake up, we switch on a bulb, look at our phones, sit under ceiling lights, and work on screens.
What does artificial light do to the human body?
We do not realize is that artificial light is not the same as sunlight. The sun emits a full spectrum of light that includes all wavelengths from infrared to ultraviolet.
Artificial light, in comparison, is narrow and incomplete. It gives us brightness but not balance.
Sunlight is information for the body.
When sunlight hits your eyes and skin in the morning, it triggers a series of signals that regulate your internal clock, or circadian rhythm. It tells your brain to stop making melatonin, the hormone that keeps you asleep.
It tells your body to produce cortisol, which helps you wake up and feel alert. As the day progresses, the color of sunlight changes, and your body follows that rhythm naturally.
Artificial light, however, does not change through the day. It emits the same wavelength of light all day.
The result is confusion in your biology.
When your circadian rhythm is disrupted, your body cannot repair itself properly. Your mitochondria, the tiny power plants inside your cells, need certain wavelengths of light to function well.
Without them, energy production slows down. You feel tired even after resting. Your hormones go out of sync. Your sleep becomes lighter, your focus drops, and your mood shifts.
Sunlight also stimulates serotonin, a neurotransmitter that lifts your mood and helps you stay calm.
So what can you do?
Recognize that your body actually runs on sunlight. Not just the light and heat but the full spectrum of wavelengths emitted.
Step out into natural light every morning, even if only for a few minutes. Let the light touch your skin and eyes without sunglasses.
During the day, try to work near a window. In the evening, dim your lights and reduce screen exposure.
We were designed to live with the sun. When we return to its rhythm, our bodies understand what it means to feel truly alive.
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