Nature has various effects on our body, such as the cold drying out our skin and heat increasing the chance of dehydration from sweating. Light is an essential part of our lives, and certain types of light will have different effects on our bodies and how they function. Read on to find out how different light exposure affects the body.
Sunlight
Humans need sunlight to grow stronger. Sunlight exposure kickstarts the body’s production of Vitamin D by interacting with a protein in the skin called 7-DHC and converting it into Vitamin D3. The extra Vitamin D will retain calcium and phosphorous, which are important for strong bones. Spending time in the sun will help our brains produce serotonin, which makes us feel happier and more relaxed.
Despite the positive factors of sunlight, UV rays carry risks for certain skin diseases. Skin cancer is one of the most prominent diseases caused by too much sun exposure, prompting people to wear a protective layer of sunscreen to protect themselves. The heat of the sun’s strong rays will also damage the skin and the eyes over time without obstructions to block it, such as clouds.
Blue Light
Many electronics we use have screens that cast a bright light to illuminate images. This blue light illumination has various effects that keep us alert and focused. The brightness and intensity of blue light cause the brain’s receptors to assume it’s daytime and not produce melatonin at night, leading to sleep deprivation.
Blue light will also harm our eyes after long periods. The spectrum of colors the eye perceives and the brain assigns have various wavelengths and energies, and blue light has a short wavelength and higher energy.
The higher energy leads to damage in the retina after staring at a source of blue light for too long. Exposure to this light will affect the body in various ways, but like most light sources, overexposure will lead to damaging effects.
Red Light
Red light therapy has some interesting benefits, though research on its effects on the human body is still ongoing. Frequent exposure may help with skin care and weight loss. Like blue light, red light will affect melatonin production, but oppositely.
Red light has less intensity, which will stimulate melatonin production and help people fall asleep faster. Research continues on the consequences and benefits of red light, but it has some promising effects and how we may use them.
Light is an interesting energy source, but we still have much to learn about it. Exposure to different light sources affects our bodies differently, and understanding them will help us find ways to improve our health and prevent ailments from occurring by avoiding certain lights.
