Six New Year's Resolutions for Everyday
The new year doesn't have to be the sole time when goals are made. These six goals can be done throughout the year and are doable with even the smallest amount of effort.
Resources — Health + Wellness
13 Benefits of Light Therapy
If you’re not familiar with what SAD light therapy is, allow me to explain. Light treatment involves sitting in front of a specialized 10,000 LUX light therapy lamp. These lamps are designed to put out high amounts of light (LUX) to mimic the sun. Our bodies need sunlight, but we rarely receive enough of it—the sun aids in our body’s ability to produce two essential hormones: melatonin and serotonin. By sitting in front of a light therapy lamp for 20-30 minutes each morning, we replace some of that lost sunlight. These 12 light therapy lamp benefits have been thoroughly researched and tested based on the effects bright light therapy has on users.
Light Deprivation: What Happens if You don't Get enough Sunlight?
Most of us learn early on in our lives what too much sun can do to us. We often hear, ‘Make sure to wear sunscreen -- you could get sunburnt or even develop skin cancer.’ or ‘Don’t look directly into the sun, or you’ll damage your eyes.’ But did you know that not enough sun can be detrimental too?
Proper sunlight exposure does more for our bodies than we may realize. It prompts our brain to produce serotonin, a hormone that wakes us up and gives us energy. That serotonin is then converted into melatonin at night, which helps us fall asleep more easily. Sunlight also helps our bodies produce vitamin D and can even benefit our heart, eye, and skin health!
Unfortunately, with Americans spending 90 percent of their time indoors on average, most of us don’t get enough sunlight. Without enough sunlight, our whole lives can be affected. In this article, we’ll outline exactly what can happen when we’re deprived of that necessary light and what you can do to make sure you get it.
Proper sunlight exposure does more for our bodies than we may realize. It prompts our brain to produce serotonin, a hormone that wakes us up and gives us energy. That serotonin is then converted into melatonin at night, which helps us fall asleep more easily. Sunlight also helps our bodies produce vitamin D and can even benefit our heart, eye, and skin health!
Unfortunately, with Americans spending 90 percent of their time indoors on average, most of us don’t get enough sunlight. Without enough sunlight, our whole lives can be affected. In this article, we’ll outline exactly what can happen when we’re deprived of that necessary light and what you can do to make sure you get it.
22 Ways to Increase Serotonin Levels
Serotonin is the "feel-good" chemical with a variety of functions in the human body. While dopamine releases the happy hormone, serotonin stabilizes the mood. The two can go hand in hand. Serotonin, sometimes considered a hormone, is a neurotransmitter the body uses to send messages between nerve cells. Serotonin plays a role in our mood, sleep, emotions, appetite, and digestion. People with low levels of serotonin (also known as a serotonin deficiency), find themselves feeling tired, irritable, and unable to function properly. To help combat this, we've compiled a few methods on how to get more serotonin including foods high in serotonin, exercise and serotonin, sunlight, and more. All are ways to increase serotonin naturally and safely.
21 of the Best Tips for Running When Older
Running when older can be challenging. But with the right tips, you can do it! All tips are backed by extensive research and studies. Let's run!
The 2023 Ultimate Guide to Bright Light Therapy
During the winter, the days get shorter, and our contact with the sun becomes even more limited. Many of us leave for work just as the sun is rising and don’t return home until after it has set, not getting any sunlight at all. While the amount of sunlight we need varies widely depending on our skin tone, age, and other factors, this lack of exposure can inhibit the healthy production of essential hormones. This could disrupt our sleep schedules and contribute to conditions like insomnia, depression, and seasonal affective disorder.
Bright light therapy lamps, also known as sad lamps or happy lights, provide an artificial alternative to natural light that can help solve this common problem.
Bright light therapy lamps, also known as sad lamps or happy lights, provide an artificial alternative to natural light that can help solve this common problem.