“How does light help us?” is one question humans have always asked. Remarkably, ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans recognised that light has therapeutic properties and used light therapy (also called phototherapy) to treat various ailments and promote healing.
Tapping from this ancient wisdom, different cultures have incorporated light therapy into their traditional practices to boost health and well-being.
This article will explore how light therapy features in different cultures around the world. It will also discuss the science behind light therapy and how you can use it to boost your health and happiness.
Light therapy in different cultures
Throughout history, the pursuits of humans have remained the same. Like people in Ancient Greece and Egypt, people today desire rejuvenation, good health, well-being, and happiness.
So, after ancient civilisations found that natural light is beneficial in treating various ailments, the use of light to promote healing found a place in many cultures as time passed. Today, light therapy features in one form or the other in different cultures.
Light therapy in Scandinavian countries
In Scandinavian countries with long and dark winters, light therapy is a part of the traditional practice of “hygge,” which is used to create cosiness and warmth indoors.
Hygge is about creating a comfortable, cosy physical environment for yourself indoors during the long Scandinavian winters.
While “hygge” does not use light therapy in the clinical sense, light plays a huge role in the practice. Achieving “hygge” involves introducing warm lighting to an indoor space using candles, fireplaces, or warm lamps.
The warm light has a comforting effect. Importantly, it compensates for the reduced exposure to sunlight during winter.
For this reason, “light therapy” in the Scandinavian hygge practice can help alleviate winter blues (low mood and lethargy caused by reduced sunlight exposure during winter).
Also read: Harmful Effect of Lack of Light
Light therapy in Asian countries
Light is incorporated into many Asian cultures to allow people to benefit from its healing energy.
In Japan, the practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) includes natural light therapy. Shinrin-yoku is the simple therapeutic practice of spending time in a forest.
Being bathed by natural light in the calming effects of a forest environment has been linked to reduced stress levels and improved mood.
In China, colour therapy is a part of traditional Chinese Medicine. This involves using colour to achieve wellness through exposure to specific coloured light.
For example, red light therapy stimulates the body, increases heart rate and circulation, and energises. Blue light therapy has a pacifying effect on the nervous system and encourages relaxation.
In India, Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that involves sun exposure to achieve overall health and wellness.
According to Ayurvedic principles, sunlight provides vital energy to the body and helps balance doshas (to promote good health).
Traditional Ayurvedic practices even included Surya Namaskar (Sun salutations) and drinking solar-charged water.
Light therapy in African countries
Light therapy in African culture is not as formalised or documented as in some other cultures. However, there are different traditional practices that incorporate light to promote well-being and happiness.
For example, sun worship is part of many African cultures, where people revere the sun as a source of life and energy.
During sun ceremonies, people dance and chant under the sun. This maximises sun exposure, increasing the release of feel-good hormones to positively affect mood and mental well-being.
Understanding the science behind light therapy
Natural light has healing powers, and this is a fact backed by science. Light therapy works by mimicking natural sunlight to influence biochemical processes in the human body.
For example, light can stimulate the production of serotonin, which is associated with mood regulation.
Also, through a mechanism called photobiomodulation, light can penetrate the skin and be absorbed by chromophores within cells, which then trigger biochemical reactions that can modulate cellular function.
Researchers have found that red and near-infrared light can penetrate skin tissues to stimulate cellular repair (making them valuable for promoting wound healing).
This differs from infrared light therapy that the eyes can’t see, but the body feels to promote detoxification, pain relief, and more.
What are the effects of light on well-being?
Light has a far-reaching effect on well-being. It plays a crucial role in regulating the circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock).
Exposure to light inhibits the production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. Regulating melatonin production promotes healthy sleep patterns and helps treat sleep disorders, such as difficulty sleeping or morning sleepiness.
Exposure to light also has an energising effect on the body, helping to combat feelings of fatigue and lethargy.
Is there a connection between light therapy and mood disorders?
Light therapy is very effective in treating mood disorders, as it triggers the production of feel-good hormones the same way natural light does.
When natural light enters your eyes, it stimulates your retina, which then sends a message to your brain to produce the feel-good hormone serotonin.
Bright light therapy uses special light-emitting devices to send sunlight-mimicking light into your eyes.
This tells your brain to produce more serotonin. With the feel-good hormone associated with feelings of happiness, its increased production helps you fight low mood and improves your mental health.
How can I incorporate light therapy into my daily life?
Light therapy is a treatment method that involves exposure to sunlight or artificial light sources that mimic sunlight.
So, you can incorporate light therapy into your daily life by spending more time outdoors and using light therapy solutions that compensate for reduced sunlight exposure.
The simplest way to incorporate light therapy into your daily life is to get out more to take advantage of natural sunlight.
While spending time outdoors has benefits, it is not preferred for light therapy for many reasons:
- First, getting adequate sun exposure from natural sunlight may be impractical. For example, people who work indoors may not have the time to sunbathe. Also, optimum sunlight exposure is seasonal. Winter days are associated with reduced sun exposure because they come with shorter daylight hours.
- Then, there’s the issue of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The sun’s rays include UV radiation, which is dangerous to the eyes and the skin.
For these reasons, the best way to incorporate light therapy into your daily life is to use light therapy solutions (like lamps and visors).
These solutions are designed to be used indoors, are not affected by weather conditions or seasons, and emit UV-free light.
Many light therapy solutions come as compact light therapy lamps. These lamps emit bright light. You simply turn on the lamp and sit beside it for about 30 minutes, allowing the light to enter your eyes.
Light therapy devices by Luminette
While typical light therapy solutions require that you remain in one place throughout the duration of the session, Luminette has innovative solutions that allow you to have your light therapy while on the go.
Luminette’s innovative light therapy solutions include the Luminete 3 light therapy glasses and the light therapy lamp drive.
Luminette 3 Light Therapy Glasses
Luminette 3 light therapy glasses are special eyeglasses that allow you to have your light therapy session while you go about your normal activities.
Luminette 3 are special eyeglasses with an artificial light source that sends a safe light beam into your eyes without dazzling your eyes or obscuring your vision.
You simply wear the eyeglasses and push a button to turn on the light, and you can have your light therapy. Even if you wear glasses or contact lenses, you can still use the Luminette 3 light therapy glasses without impacting your vision or comfort.
With Luminette 3, you no longer have to sit beside a light therapy lamp for 30 minutes daily.
While wearing the glasses and having your therapy, you can get breakfast ready, read a book, watch TV, work on your computer, and even perform light exercises.
Light Therapy Lamp Drive
Light Therapy Lamp Drive is a special light therapy lamp that allows you to have your light therapy session while driving.
You simply fix the Light Therapy Lamp Drive to the sun visor of your vehicle, flip a switch to turn it on, and enjoy light therapy while you drive.
If you are behind your steering for at least 20 minutes a day, consider using Drive. It’s especially important if you take long night drives.
Drive beams a safe, bright light into your eyes as you drive without altering your driving.
This gives you the full benefits of light therapy, which includes regulating the sleep-inducing hormone, thereby promoting wakefulness and alertness.
Top tips for effective light therapy
Some tips to effectively use light therapy to boost health and happiness include:
Choose the right light therapy solution
Select a light therapy solution that emits the right intensity of bright light to trigger the body’s positive response to sunlight. Also, ensure the light is free of UV radiation.
It may also be good to find a light therapy solution that allows you to have your session without changing your routine. For example, use light therapy glasses instead of traditional light therapy lamps.
Plan your sessions for the mornings
For most conditions, the morning is the best time for light therapy. Plan your light therapy sessions for early in the morning, preferably within the first hour of waking up. This promotes alertness and boosts energy levels for the day ahead.
Your eyes should be open
You cannot have light therapy sessions while sleeping. The light needs to enter your eyes, so your eyes need to be open.
Each session should last about 30 minutes
Most people require at least 30 minutes of daily light therapy to see results. So, an important tip for effective light therapy is to make your sessions at least 30 minutes long.
Be consistent
One or a few light therapy sessions are not enough to treat any condition. For light therapy to work well, consistency is key - you need regular sessions for two or more weeks.
You may also like: Maximising Benefits: Achieving Best Results with Light Therapy.
Takeaway: Use Luminette light therapy solutions to harness the healing power of light to boost your health and happiness
Since the therapeutic power of sunlight was discovered by people in ancient Egypt, light therapy has come a long way.
Light therapy is integrated into many cultures worldwide to promote overall well-being. However, light therapy is no longer limited to sunlight exposure. Technology has given us artificial light sources that emit sunlight-mimicking bright light, allowing light therapy indoors.
Luminette offers some of the best light therapy devices. From the Luminette 3 eyeglasses to the light therapy lamp Drive, these devices are not only portable, but they allow you to have light therapy sessions while doing your regular activities.
Ready to boost your health and happiness with light therapy? Order the innovative Luminette 3 today!
FAQ
What is light therapy, and how do different cultures utilise it for enhancing well-being?
Light therapy is a method for treating various conditions and improving overall health that involves exposure to sunlight or artificial light sources that mimic sunlight.
Cultures around the world incorporate light therapy into their traditions and lifestyles to promote wellness.
For example, Scandinavian countries use warm lighting in their “hygge” practice to promote wellness and combat winter blues during the cold winter periods.
What are some traditional light therapy practices from different cultures?
Light therapy practices in many cultures are well-documented. For example, Scandinavian countries like Denmark and Finland use warm lighting in their “hygge” practice to promote well-being during winter.
Traditional Chinese medicine uses coloured lights to treat different conditions, while sunlight exposure is an integral part of Ayurvedic medicine in India.
How can modern light therapy devices incorporate traditional practices from diverse cultures?
Modern light therapy solutions draw inspiration from traditional practices by emitting bright light that mimics sunlight, allowing people to enjoy the full benefits of sunlight even when indoors.
Devices like Luminette, inspired by Scandinavian traditions, allow light therapy sessions while you go about your daily routine and include customisable options like selecting a preferred light intensity.
