Sunlight improves sleep quality

A new study conducted by researchers at Saint Louis University School of Medicine suggest that natural sunlight improves sleep quality.

A new study conducted by researchers at Saint Louis University School of Medicine suggest that natural sunlight improves sleep quality.

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The team led by Julie Gammack found that elderly nursing home patients who were exposed to natural light had improved sleep quality.

They had less difficulty falling asleep, fewer episodes of wakefulness during the night and greater satisfaction with the amount of sleep they got.

"If this inexpensive and easy method of helping patients sleep better proves to be effective, we could see fewer drug-related side effects and drug-to-drug interactions because we'll prescribe fewer sleeping pills," he added.

Gammack added that previous research shows morning and afternoon light therapy can help regulate sleeping patterns of nursing home residents.

Studies show that natural sunlight helps set our body's internal clock that tells us when to eat and sleep, and normalizes hormonal functions that occur at specific times of the day.

People need to receive about 30 to 60 minutes of exposure to direct sunlight for sleep patterns to improve, he said. "Light therapy may provide secondary effects on sleep quality that are independent of mood symptoms, such as time to fall asleep and number of awakenings," he added.