Every day, millions of travelers struggle against one of the most common sleep disorders — jet lag. Those who are working from home may be feeling the same effects. LTD started using our light therapy product during the stay-at-home order by the Governor of our state!
Whether you're a "Road Warrior" who has piled up thousands of Frequent Flier Miles, or someone who is planning a vacation to a distant location, you are likely to experience jet lag, which can have a profound effect on your sleep and alertness. During the COVID-19 pandemic many are saying the same feeling is happening to them from so much time at home and not being able to go outside.
Remember, if you have questions related to your health, always consult your doctor or medical professional. The information presented here is informative only and is not medical advice.
Update 2020:
The shift in routine and sleep schedules during the COVID-19 pandemic, like working from home, may be taking a toll on your mood, and you may be feeling a little overwhelmed. If your happiness levels seem to be taking a nosedive, try boosting your mood with light therapy. Fortunately, daylight hours are increasing—especially good news for those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—but a light therapy device may give you the boost you need to keep your spirits high.
Why?
Serotonin is a mood-boosting hormone, and a lack of it is associated with mood disorders. This is one possible reason many people get depressed in winter or even experience major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern. Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain's release of a hormone called serotonin. Low levels of serotonin are associated with a higher risk of depression.
Many have been in awful depressive slumps not only from being indoors but also from the fear many feel from the current pandemic. Something as simple as standing in the sun for 5 minutes may be for some, seemingly impossible. Light therapy may be a solution for this not just for light exposure but also for helping our circadian rhythms...
Lack of sleep makes all of this even worse and many find their mood and sleep spiraling out of control. Since so many of us are working indoors all day and look at stimulating blue screens day and night, it’s no wonder many people have circadian rhythm disorders much like what happens with jet lag.
What is Jet Lag?
Circadian rhythms are biological rhythms that drive changes within humans. For example, we have circadian rhythms of alertness and body temperature. Usually these rhythms align with the environment’s natural light and dark cycle: peak drowsiness occurs around 5:00 AM, when it is often dark out. Jet lag occurs when our rhythms no longer align with the environment. Flying from Vancouver to Moscow — 12 hours ahead — means that peak drowsiness occurs at 5:00 PM, when one would usually want to be alert.
Our internal clocks are regulated by "Zeitgebers" which are rhythmic cues in the environment that synchronize the internal body clock to the earth’s 24-hour light–dark cycle. Light is the strongest Zeitgeber; other non-photic Zeitgebers include temperature, social interaction, pharmacological manipulation, exercise, and meal timing.
