Mental Health
Light Therapy and Circadian Health
2025-09-30
Light Therapy and Circadian Health
Light is one of the most powerful regulators of mood and body rhythms. Bright light therapy helps combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and improves circadian alignment.
How It Works
- Human body clocks run slightly longer than 24 hours
- Morning light resets the circadian rhythm
- Bright light suppresses melatonin, boosting alertness
Using Light Therapy
- Choose a light box emitting 10,000 lux
- Sit about 30 minutes each morning
- Position it at a downward angle toward the eyes (avoid direct glare)
- Adjust session time: increase if no benefit, reduce if jittery
Research Highlights
- Improves SAD symptoms within 1–2 weeks
- Comparable effect to antidepressants in some trials
- May also help with non-seasonal depression and sleep disorders
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