The Daily Mail this week reported on new scientific findings linking a lack of darkness during sleeping hours to depression.
The Breathing Relief blog has previously commented on the necessity of darkness in a sleeping environment in order to complement our body’s natural Circadian Rhythm; suggesting bedroom blinds and eye masks so that your sleep can be optimised. The long-term effects of sleep deprivation are widely-known- obesity, cancer and depression and with these current findings we now have to be aware of how we choose to drift off to sleep. Not only is summer wreaking havoc with our sleep, but attempting to fall asleep by watching TV can affect you negatively by triggeringthe same changes in the brain as natural light does.
The article’s publication arrives at the same time as our blogger returns from several days away, camping in a field. See how the early mornings affected her sleep cycles and mood here.