Impact of Light Exposure on Mental Health

A study published in the journal Nature Mental Health analyzed the association between light exposure patterns during the day and night and the risk of psychiatric disorders. The researchers used light exposure data from over 86,000 individuals and found that increased light exposure during the day was associated with a lower risk of self-harm, psychosis, PTSD, and major depressive disorder. On the other hand, increased light exposure at night was linked to a higher risk of generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder, self-harm, and psychosis. These associations were consistent even after considering various factors such as physical activity levels, sleep quality, and socio-demographic factors.