LET THERE BE LIGHT

The sun is essential to life and highly beneficial for physical and mental health. Visible and invisible portions of the light spectrum, especially ultraviolet, act as the ignition system for many of our biological functions and the production of Vitamin D. Life on Earth evolved under the sun – ancient civilisations worshiped and used sunlight for its healing powers. Without light, growth and repair of our bodies would be impossible. Dr John Ott was a pioneer in light research and inventor of time-lapse photography and full-spectrum lighting. He coined the term ‘malillumination’ to describe sunlight deficiency and the harmful effects of indoor living, sunglasses and normal fluorescent light on learning, behaviour, mental and physical health and longevity.

Sunlight exposure can help with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, skin conditions, anxiety, depression and auto-immune conditions. Being outside in the sun has also been found to reduce cancer risk, especially that of the prostate, breast, lung and colon.

BENEFITS OF LIGHT THROUGH THE EYES

Full-spectrum light influences your entire body, not only through the skin, but also when it enters unfiltered through your eyes. Light not only go through to the brain’s visual centres, enabling us to see, but also goes to our hypothalamus, which controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, water balance and blood pressure. Additionally, it controls the master gland, the pituitary, which secretes many essential hormones.

Sufficient exposure to bright sunlight can prevent children from becoming near-sighted. Researchers found that the amount of time children spend outdoors is critical. A comparison of children in Singapore and Sydney showed that the myopia rate in Singaporean children is 10 times higher, despite the children in Sydney spent significantly more time in near-work activity such as reading, which has long been held to be implicated in myopia progression. The Sydney-based children were outdoors almost four times longer than their Singapore counterparts.

HOW TO SUN

We need regular sun exposure to make sufficient vitamin D for our wellbeing. Try and get sun onto your skin all year around, more in winter. Expose as much of your skin as possible and the best time is between 10am to 2pm – start slow and dont burn – prepare your skin by getting the morning sun through the eyes and skin. We need sunlight exposure through our eyes and onto our skin every day to optimise our physical and mental health. Sunlight is one of the greatest healing remedies found in nature, ensuring a healthier, happier and longer life.