Embargoed until:
Publicly released:
2024-07-18 01:00
Peer-reviewedObservational studySurveyPeopleWhat do these mean?Peer-reviewed: This work was reviewed and scrutinised by relevant independent experts.Observational study: A study in which the subject is observed to see if there is a relationship between two or more things (eg: the consumption of diet drinks and obesity). Observational studies cannot prove that one thing causes another, only that they are linked.Survey: A study based solely on people’s responses to a series of questions.People: This is a study based on research using people.
US researchers say getting some bright light into your day could have a positive effect on a more regular sleep schedule, and in turn, help lower symptoms of depression. The researchers looked at survey data for over 6600 people and found people who had a greater exposure to bright light to have fewer depression symptoms, as well as having a more regular sleep schedule. They say more vitamin D was also associated with more regular sleep, but not with fewer depression symptoms. However they do note that a better sleep schedule is associated with lower depression. While this kind of study cannot directly prove light’s effect on depression, they suggest getting some bright light in your day could improve numerous mood outcomes, even if it is a by-product of its effects on sleep and our circadian rhythms.
Journal/conference: JAMA Network Open
Link to research (DOI): 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.22810
Organisation/s: Harvard Medical School, USA
Funder: This work was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH-NHLBI
T32HL007901 [to DrWallace], K99HL166700 [to DrWallace], K01DA057374 [to Dr Kossowsky], and R35
HL135818 [to Dr Redline]).
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