Researchers have confirmed that artificial lighting has gotten most people’s internal clocks all messed up. They also learned that a week of away from it is one way to repair the damage.
Researchers have confirmed that artificial lighting has gotten most people’s internal clocks all messed up. They also learned that a week of away from it is one way to repair the damage.
Their research involved following around a small group of volunteers and documenting their exposure to natural and artificial light as they went about their day.
Upon checking the subjects’ melatonin levels, the scientists determined that modern conveniences had caused their circadian rhythms to lag by two hours.
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Then they all went camping, old school — no electronics, no flashlights, just a campfire and some tents.
By the end of the week, all of the campers had synced up their sleep schedules with the rising and setting of the sun.
Even the night owls were going to bed earlier and waking up earlier. Everybody’s melatonin levels looked like nature intended.
The scientists estimated that, on average, the volunteers had increased their intake of natural light by 400 percent.
It’s suggested that even if people aren’t able to head to the woods for a week, spending a little more time outdoors, limiting the usage of electronics, especially at night and keeping window blinds and shades open will help get the melatonin in check.
