However, daytime, natural light may offer a protective effect<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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TUESDAY, Nov. 28, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Avoiding light at night and seeking natural light during the day may be an effective way to improve mental health, according to a study published online Oct. 9 in\u00a0Nature Mental Health<\/em>.<\/p>\n Angus C. Burns, Ph.D., from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and colleagues examined associations between daytime and nighttime light exposure with the risk for psychiatric disorders and self-harm. The analysis included 86,772 adults (57 percent women).\u00a0<\/p>\n The researchers found that greater nighttime light exposure was associated with an increased risk for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosis, bipolar disorder, and self-harm behavior. Greater daytime light exposure was associated with a reduced risk for major depressive disorder, PTSD, psychosis, and self-harm behavior, independent of nighttime light exposure. When adjusting for sociodemographics, photoperiod, physical activity, sleep quality, and cardiometabolic health, the findings persisted.<\/p>\n “Avoiding light at night and seeking light during the day may be a simple and effective, nonpharmacological means of broadly improving mental health,” the authors write.<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed ties to industry.<\/p>\n