Let There Be Light

But of course!

Earliest morning light from my east-facing window

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Light is a funny thing, one I find people react to in highly subjective ways. For example, one of my Las Vegas sisters thrives on the desert glare; I flinch from any glare, desert or otherwise. A good friend opts for bright lights in every room; another friend is horrified by brightness and fills her home with subdued lighting only.

Whatever your own feelings about light, the undeniable fact is that light is good for our mental and physical health. It’s well known that sunlight boosts much-needed Vitamin D, and songs throughout the ages, including from the Beatles, remind us that sunny days bring us smiles. What is particularly interesting to me, though, is how light is important in ways we seldom hear about.

A quick run-down of how light affects our brains and bodies has some surprises. For example, our eyes, via photosensitive cells in the retina, send messages directly to parts of the brain that affect circadian cycles, cognition, and mood. Light stimulates creation of melatonin, crucial for helping us sleep, as well stimulating serotonin, a hormone and neurotransmitter that increases our vitality and good cheer. New research now informs us that UV sunlight may even help lower blood pressure.

Sunlight sources

Obviously our light sources are many, but sunlight continues to hold first place. In fact, to build up Vitamin D reserves requires time spent out-of-doors in the sun’s rays. It is also well-established that starting the morning in sunlight triggers more alertness and a sense of well-being for the day. But I have a problem with that. Frankly, I am disinclined to roll out of bed to go out for a walk. Not going to happen.