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This is quite interesting. As someone who has delayed sleep phase syndrome, I wish I'd known about the mathematical models they mention a few years ago. I had t

by ioddly 12y ago

This is quite interesting. As someone who has delayed sleep phase syndrome, I wish I'd known about the mathematical models they mention a few years ago. I had to figure out my own light therapy schedule by trial and error. The next step, of course, is to actually try it out. It appears there's an iOS app based on this: http://entrain.math.lsa.umich.edu/ http://entrain.math.lsa.umich.edu/

a8da6b0c91d 12y ago
I think the important thing is to get as much natural daylight exposure as possible. Sunlight lowers stress hormones, lowers depression, increases metabolism, and so forth. So I'm skeptical about "apps" and algorithms that are about micromanaging how much dim artificial light you get. The much more important thing is getting out in the midday sun for an hour or more every day.
- LnxPrgr3 12y ago
  I'm a definite fan of getting mid-day sun, but my understanding is while it'll help maintain sleep rhythm, it won't correct it if it's already out of whack. For that, I'd suggest getting some sun (or failing that, some light therapy lamp exposure—a special-purpose lamp that puts out a blinding amount of light) first thing when you wake up. Of course, you could optimize further too, like this paper suggests. Source is admittedly Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_disorder#Management http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_disorder#Ma..., and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PRC-Light%2BMel.png http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PRC-Light%2BMel.png in particular.
  - cpncrunch 12y ago
    I have occasional problems with sleep disruption in the winter months (October to March, 49 degrees latitude). The problem is that natural sunlight simply isn't strong enough to reset your body clock. When it happens I take a melatonin at night, and it seems to reset my sleep cycle and gives me a really good night's sleep. I don't normally take it more than once a week at most, just in case there are any negative effects. The delayed release tablets seem to work best (Jamieson, I believe it is), as they slowly release the melatonin over a period of 8 hours.
- ioddly 12y ago
  Sunlight is great, but once your circadian rhythm gets messed up it's not enough. Blue light from artificial sources does suppress melatonin production quite well, which can change your circadian rhythm for better or worse.

by ioddly 12y ago

a8da6b0c91d 12y ago

I think the important thing is to get as much natural daylight exposure as possible. Sunlight lowers stress hormones, lowers depression, increases metabolism, and so forth. So I'm skeptical about "apps" and algorithms that are about micromanaging how much dim artificial light you get. The much more important thing is getting out in the midday sun for an hour or more every day.

LnxPrgr3 12y ago
I'm a definite fan of getting mid-day sun, but my understanding is while it'll help maintain sleep rhythm, it won't correct it if it's already out of whack. For that, I'd suggest getting some sun (or failing that, some light therapy lamp exposure—a special-purpose lamp that puts out a blinding amount of light) first thing when you wake up. Of course, you could optimize further too, like this paper suggests. Source is admittedly Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_disorder#Management http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_disorder#Ma..., and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PRC-Light%2BMel.png http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PRC-Light%2BMel.png in particular.
- cpncrunch 12y ago
  I have occasional problems with sleep disruption in the winter months (October to March, 49 degrees latitude). The problem is that natural sunlight simply isn't strong enough to reset your body clock. When it happens I take a melatonin at night, and it seems to reset my sleep cycle and gives me a really good night's sleep. I don't normally take it more than once a week at most, just in case there are any negative effects. The delayed release tablets seem to work best (Jamieson, I believe it is), as they slowly release the melatonin over a period of 8 hours.
ioddly 12y ago
Sunlight is great, but once your circadian rhythm gets messed up it's not enough. Blue light from artificial sources does suppress melatonin production quite well, which can change your circadian rhythm for better or worse.