Go camping, sleep better.

Go camping, sleep better. 

by: Allen Macartney

rating: ****

              Most people in the modern age nowadays are exposed to many artificial lights such as computer screens, cellphones, TV's, etc,. The light that comes from technological appliances can affect our sleeping pattern because our brain will be tricked into thinking it is day time when in reality it is actually night time. 

                A study from the University of Colorado states that darkness alters the natural chemical production in our bodies, including melatonin levels. Melatonin is a hormone that prepares the body for sleep and helps us wake up with more energy. Our bodies produce more melatonin when the sun goes down and produces less when the sun rises. This results in a good night's sleep however the artificial light from these appliances upsets this balance. A group of healthy adults followed their daily routines before embarking on their week-long camping trip. The only available light there would be from mother nature (e.g., moonlight,sunlight, campfire,etc,). No cellphones, TV's, computers, etc,. The group slowly fell into sync with nature and soon they would sleep before it gets dark and rise when the sun is up. Without any artificial light around their sleeping patterns improved.

                  This article made me think about how artificial light can really affect the way we sleep. Artifical light tricks our brain into thinking it is daytime when it is nighttime. If we close our computer, TV, cellphone, etc,. an hour before we sleep, then we will have a better sleep.  I learned that camping outside will improve our sleeping habits. 

Macartney, Allen. "Go camping, sleep better". Ottawa Outdoors & Travel Magazine. 2013. <http://www.ottawaoutdoors.ca/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=58#!pastmagazines/c1diw>