Our Great Indoor Migration and a Forgotten Nutrient
In the past, human beings had a deeper connection with the natural rhythm of sunlight. From dawn to dusk, our ancestors were exposed to the full spectrum of light, including key wavelengths that we are now chronically deficient in. But in today's world, the majority of us spend 90% of our time indoors. This change has dramatically changed our relationship with natural light.
Sunlight is more than simply illuminating rays; it acts as a nutrient and triggers many biological functions. Just as our bodies require water and vitamins, exposure to light is equally needed for optimal functioning. However, modern architecture, lifestyle preferences, even window design, and the presence of artificial lighting have filtered out the access of key elements of natural light to the body. This raises the critical question: What have we lost in the process of this evolutionary tie to full-spectrum sunlight?
Why Your Office Light Is Not a Substitute for the Sun?
Indoor light compensates for not going into the sun. Unfortunately, artificial light can never be a substitute for natural light. Our most common sources — LED and fluorescent lighting in particular emit light towards the blue end of the spectrum. While blue light has its own place — it can boost alertness and cognitive functions during the day. However, these bulbs lack the wide range of red, orange, and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths that sunlight delivers[1].
Basically, artificial lights are, in essence, incomplete. They are like a diet containing only one food group. You might survive, but you'll never thrive. The result? An increasing number of physical and psychological illnesses are caused by the sunlight-deprived environments.
The Hidden Effects of Living in a Light-Deficient World
Our bodies are finely calibrated to respond to light cues throughout the day. That's why the sun wakes us up and the evening signals wind-down. Without full-spectrum light — particularly the longer wavelengths such as red and NIR — our circadian rhythm can be thrown off. This disruption presents in a variety of symptoms: poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue, inability to concentrate, and even mood disorders such as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. You may not even know it, but that constant feeling of "off ", foggy, or low-energy could be a side effect of a light deficiency[2].
Poor light can also slow down cellular repair and inhibit inflammation or immune response. Basically, living in a dim world puts the body in low-functioning mode so it can't fully regenerate and recharge.
Introducing the Lost Spectrum Red and Near-Infrared
The natural sunlight that we experience first of all contains a range of different wavelengths. Only some of these rays are called bioactive — it means they carry a direct impact on our cells’ functions. These include red light (620–700 nm) and near-infrared light (700–1100 nm). These wavelengths penetrate deeper into the skin than others, reaching the muscles, joints, and even bone tissues.
But there's a problem: these useful wavelengths are nearly missing from indoor lighting. And even standing next to a window doesn't really expose us to it, as most modern glass filters out infrared wavelengths. What we get is a world full of blue and green light but missing the healing and energy-giving spectrums our bodies have evolved to need.
How Red and NIR Light Energize You from the Inside Out?
Red and NIR light not only bounce off the skin — they go deep. Once inside the body, they enter the mitochondria, the little organelles in our cells that produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of life. When these wavelengths reach the mitochondria, they activate a molecule known as cytochrome c oxidase. The stimulation increases ATP production so that the cells have more energy to do their functions properly.
The result? Faster cell performance overall. That means quicker healing, better muscle function, more robust skin regeneration, and increased resistance to stressors. In short, red and NIR light help your body run smoothly, like a well-oiled machine.
The Proven Benefits of Reclaiming These Light Wavelengths
There is a growing body of scientific evidence behind red and near-infrared light therapy (photobiomodulation). Clinical trials have demonstrated that regular exposure to these wavelengths brings an array of health benefits, which include[3]:
- Enhanced skin health: Increases collagen production and skin elasticity to decrease wrinkles.
- Muscle Repair: Helps in quicker repair times and less soreness after exercise.
- Decreased inflammation: Aids in reducing chronic inflammation of joints and tissues.
- Better sleep: Restore melatonin production and improve the circadian rhythm.
- Relieves pain: Alleviates pain from arthritis, back pain, and chronic pain.
- Clarity of mind: Enhancements of mood, mental performance, and reduction of depression.
Bridging the Modern Gap with Targeted Light Therapy
We can't all leave our jobs and sit in the sun all day — and even if we could, cloudy days and brutal winters would still get in the way. Enter red and NIR light therapy devices to get all the therapeutic value of the specific wavelengths your body needs, without any danger of receiving damaging UVA or UVB rays.
Today, you can find handheld panels, wearable wraps, and full-body devices tailored to various budgets and needs. Light therapy is an innovative solution to the modern problem of restoring sufficient exposure to sunshine.
Simple Ways to Integrate Light into Your Wellness Routine
Using red and near-infrared light therapy doesn't have to be complicated. Here are a few easy ways you can integrate it into your everyday routine:
- Morning lift: Employ light therapy in the morning, which can help reset your circadian rhythm and put you on that energetic start to your day.
- Post-warming up recovery: Use after a warm-up to minimize soreness and to restore power and muscle strength.
- For post-workout recovery: Shed light after exercise on the body to reduce muscle soreness.
- Wound Healing: For minor cuts and common injuries, using light therapy as directed can help heal them faster—learn specific application methods and precautions in our dedicated guide.
- Skin renewal: Use as part of your regular skin care routine.
- Nighttime relief: Exposure to red light at night gradually reduces inflammation to prepare the body for a restful sleep.
- Consistency is key: As with any wellness habit, regular and repeated application of light therapy assures the best results.
Conclusion: Your Health Is Also About the Light You Live In
Modern living has depleted us of a critical source of life: sunlight. As a result, we are facing a hidden light deficiency pandemic that is manifesting in everything from low energy to compromised mood. Red and near-infrared light therapy devices are giving a chance to re-experience comprehensive health benefits.
By understanding and harnessing the power of these lost spectrums and taking deliberate actions to reintroduce them into our lives, we can begin to feel more energized, focused, and aligned. Your health isn't simply what you eat or how you move — it's also about the light you live in. Reclaim it, and let your body thrive.
References
- Mead MN. Benefits of sunlight: a bright spot for human health. Environ Health Perspect. 2008;116(4):A160-A167. doi:10.1289/ehp.116-a160
- Hernández-Bule ML, Naharro-Rodríguez J, Bacci S, Fernández-Guarino M. Unlocking the Power of Light on the Skin: A Comprehensive Review on Photobiomodulation. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(8):4483. Published 2024 Apr 19. doi:10.3390/ijms25084483
- Cleveland Clinic. “Red Light Therapy: Benefits, Side Effects & Uses.” Cleveland Clinic, 1 Dec. 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22114-red-light-therapy.
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