Sunlight exposure does not just result in vitamin D production in our skin. It can also directly influence sleep quality through its effects on our circadian rhythms.[1] Increased exposure to sunlight in elderly nursing home residents can improve sleep quality scores.[2] Similarly, workers in windowless offices suffered from poorer sleep quality than those working by windows.[3] For workers in Antarctica in the winter,[4] the benefits of light can be produced using bright sun lamps, which make up for the negative effects of under-exposure of sunlight on sleep.[5] So, it seems that increased sun exposure could benefit sleep quality both through improved circadian rhythms and also increased vitamin D levels. Therefore, sun exposure is a confounding factor when studying the relationship between vitamin D levels and sleep.
How does sun exposure influence sleep?
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•Last Updated: October 13, 2024