When we are asleep, our brain stores memories and information. It removes harmful elements from the body and fixes everything so that the body can function properly again after waking up. A little lack of sleep also affects our well-being a lot. There are many people who break down if they do not sleep one night. If we do not sleep for three nights, our performance will be lower than normal. According to one study, the effects of excessive alcohol consumption are similar to those of a person who stays awake for 16 to 19 hours in a row. The level of damage increases with time. Studies have shown that not sleeping for 11 days in a row has a serious effect on behavior and work. Attention and short time memory are impaired, hallucinations occur, and even brain distortion occurs.
Scientists have always insisted on getting enough sleep. The importance of light in sleep may be somewhat hidden.The reason why light is important is that it determines our body clock with the help of special light sensors in our eyes. The human eye detects light and darkness in any environment and determines the circadian rhythm in the body or the physical activity on and off after 24 hours. When someone's eyes are severely damaged, their body clock is also damaged, resulting in trouble sleeping. Even when in the dark for 24 hours or without exposure to light, the human body clock changes slightly. Research says that in that case half an hour or an hour can go by. The best example of the effect of light on sleep is jet lag. When you board a plane and go to a country in a different time zone, you will see that your body is slowly adapting to the time zone of that country. After a few days you will see that you can sleep at night, you can stay awake during the day.
By 1800, most of the world's people were working outside. As a result, they were in direct contact with light. In today's offices, people do not understand where the sun sets and when the sun sets. Because most people's workplaces are now inside the building. Outside jobs, such as fishing or farming, account for about 1 percent of all jobs in the United States. Since we have been deprived of sunlight for a long time, it is affecting our sleep but also our well-being. Sunlight is very important for our body. The amount of light needed may vary from person to person, but there is no doubt that the lighting system inside most buildings is not sufficient for our body.Due to lack of adequate sunlight, 2-6% of people in Europe suffer from a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder. There are many more areas where the lack of adequate lighting has caused many problems.
Working at night has quite a deadly long-term effect. Worst of all, it can reduce life expectancy by up to six years. Working night shifts Lighting is more serious for those who work at night. They have to work when their body wants to sleep. At that time the body does not want to exercise any kind of head or be careful but that is what has to be done. Those who work at night may try to make up for the lack of sleep at night by getting a little sleep during the day, but that is not enough. Because they usually sleep for a short time during the day and the sleep is not so deep.
They fall asleep when they are supposed to be awake, when they are supposed to be asleep, and because of this their health is severely damaged. The temporary effects of working at night are not being able to understand data properly, not being able to remember, and some behavioral abnormalities. Working at night has quite a deadly long-term effect. Worst of all, it can reduce life expectancy by up to six years. 98% of people who work night shifts fail to meet their expectations at work. No matter how many years they work. They cannot change their physiology. No matter how much light there is in the office, it is never equal to daylight. Normal daylight is 250 times brighter than artificial office light.When they go home after the night shift, their bodies come in contact with the morning light. This light sends a signal to their bodies that it is time to wake up. A Harvard study found that many people who work night shifts become nocturnal. They do not want to go out in the light of day. But for most people this is not a real solution.
Most nursing homes do not receive adequate sunlight. Most homes have light fixtures inside. As a result, residents are deprived of adequate sunlight. It is very common for the residents of these nursing homes to have sleep problems. A Dutch study found that bedrooms in nursing homes were kept dark and adequate sunlight was available in the rest of the area. As a result, residents have less time to sleep during the day and more time to sleep at night. Their mental capacity and overall health are improved.Lack of light does not depend only on the amount of light. Time is also involved in this. The soft light of the evening delays our body clock so it is too late to wake up the next morning. The light in the morning brings the body clock forward, making it possible to get up early in the morning. It was not a problem when people were working outside. The evening light would delay the sleep, the morning light would advance that time.
But now very few people come in contact with both morning and evening light. A good example is university students who start the day a little late in the morning and stay out till evening. Evening light slows down their body clock. That means they sleep late and wake up late. Hormonal changes before puberty and adulthood consolidate this, causing the body clock to be delayed by about two hours. As much as there is talk of smoking, drinking, or the harmful effects of unprotected sex, there is little discussion of the need for sleep and the role of light.
People could be more aware of this if there was enough talk about sleep. Adequate lighting, careful exposure to daylight and evening light. Policy makers could also set working hours, classes at educational institutions, and examinations. The less you can come in contact with light before going to sleep and the more you can stay in the morning light, the better sleep you will have. And be able to sleep at the same time.