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Bumisuka.com – According to the Study of Sun Exposure Makes Sleep Better. Why do we bask in the sun in the morning? Exposure to sunlight is indeed a source of vitamin D which can strengthen bones and increase immunity.
Well, it turns out that sunlight can help you sleep better at night? To get enough sleep, recent studies have shown that exposure to sunlight is one solution. Come on, see why!
Involved hundreds of students
It’s no secret that light from electronic devices can interfere with sleep. However, whether seasonal changes affect sleeping amidst these trends is still unknown. This is what US researchers are looking for in a study published in the Journal of Pineal Research in November 2022.
Titled “Daytime light exposure is a strong predictor of seasonal variation in sleep and circadian timing of university students”, the researchers involved 507 students at the University of Washington, USA. Participants are divided according to season, into:
- Fall: 138 participants.
- Winter: 88 participants.
- Spring: 183 participants.
- Summer: 98 participants.
To measure activity and light exposure, the participants wore digital wristbands that continuously supplied data. The researchers determined the definition of outdoor light at a minimum intensity of 50 lux.
Result: Less exposure to sunlight makes you sleep less
The researchers found that despite adhering to a teaching and learning schedule, the students’ bedtimes were delayed during the fall and winter. Under daylight saving time (DST), participants fell asleep 35 minutes later and woke 27 minutes later on a winter study day.
In addition, the researchers noticed that the participants’ circadian rhythms were slower by more than 30 minutes in winter compared to summer. Analysis of the effects of light exposure shows that the number of hours of exposure to light of at least 50 lux during daylight hours is the strongest determinant of circadian rhythms.
The researchers noted that bedtime is later in the winter. In addition, this study provides evidence that exposure to light is the key to preventing delays in circadian rhythms. While there was no significant difference in sleep duration between seasons, the use of alarms was 10 percent more frequent in fall and winter.
Sleep deprivation to social jet lag
Research leader from the University of Washington, Horacio de la Iglesia, Ph.D., explained that this research does not emphasize the bad light from electronic devices. In fact, sunlight is brighter than indoor light due to lamps or electronic devices.
Teenagers and young adults generally have a fairly late bedtime, and this can affect physical and mental health. This late bedtime also means it’s more difficult for them to wake up earlier so it’s not just sleep deprivation, Horacio says they experience the phenomenon of social jet lag.
After this research, Horacio and his team already plan to conduct similar studies in other locations. Next, they want to do the study in lower latitudes, such as San Diego, which doesn’t have the same changes in sun exposure as Seattle at the northern latitudes.
Not sleeping pills, sunbathing is the key to sleep
Through this research, Horacio emphasizes that adequate sleep does not need to be complicated. He said the world spends a lot of money developing drugs to sleep. Even if it’s only for a short time, getting exposure to light can help you sleep better in winter.
Horacio realized that this research involved the majority of students. However, he emphasized that these results actually apply to other age groups. Not only students in college, students who are busy can apply it.
