• Spabreaks.com Home
  • About
  • Contact us


  • Home
  • Spa reviews
    • Spotlights
    • Spa and cancer
    • Accessible spas
    • Celebrity reviews
  • News
    • Headlines
    • Community
      • Who are you talking to?
      • Next big thing
    • Spa Glossary
  • Food
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch and snacks
    • Cocktails
    • Healthy eating
    • Smoothies
    • Sweets and desserts
    • Diets
  • Entertainment
    • Interviews
      • Industry Experts
      • Celebrity
    • Books
    • Gifts
    • Lifestyle
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Top 10
    • Five reasons
    • Golf guide
  • Skincare
    • Spa tips
    • Spa treatments
    • Spa products
    • Make-up
    • Tried and tested
  • Health
    • Coping with cancer
    • Life after spinal injury
    • A day in a life
    • Fitness
      • Yoga
      • Exercise
  • Features
  • Elysium Collection

Breaking

The most amazing spa pools for spa staycations

How to have the best spa staycation this summer

Ways to feel good on Blue Monday with little or no cost

The new face of luxury aesthetic spa treatments

Get the holiday vibe at home and plan things to look forward to


Spend time outside to help you sleep

1 Comment
 09 Feb 2017   Posted by BonnieF


“Nearly a third of the population are suffering from insomnia which is affecting their health,” reported the Daily Mirror; but it seems our battle with sleep could be mitigated by simply spending more time outdoors.

sleep outside

Dr Kenneth Wright has published a study that shows a weekend out camping resets the clock inside our bodies that influences sleeping habits. Now while camping might not be for everyone, the essence of this is about being exposed to natural light, and let’s face it, away from our computer screens and mobile phones.

The scientists argue that time in the great outdoors could help those struggling to sleep and get up in the morning and boost health because exposing ourselves to more bright light in the day (and less at night) could help.

Light affects how our body works

Our “circadian” rhythm anticipates day and night to co-ordinate how our body works, monitoring alertness, mood, sleep, physical strength and it’s heavily influenced by light (hence the issue with mobile phone screens before bed).  Light helps the clock keep time, but modern life with artificial light, alarm clocks and smartphones has altered our sleeping habits.

Dr Wright said: “we’re waking up at a time when our circadian clock says we should still be asleep” (anyone with an alarm clock can vouch for that), and it’s damaging our health with suggested links to type two diabetes and obesity.

Artificial light and natural light

Dr Wright’s study organised a series of camping trips that removed the use of artificial light, except in the form of a campfire. The first thing they realised is that the people camping were exposed to 13 times more light than they were at home, even in winter.

They also noted that their melatonin levels started to rise two-and-a-half hours earlier than before the expedition and they went to bed earlier too. The campers were now sleeping and waking in tune with their body clocks.

Not just about camping

Dr Wright said: “we’re not saying camping is the answer here, but we can introduce more natural light to modern life.” He suggested things like going out for a walk before work and cutting down in the evening by using less artificial light and recording TV shows rather than watching them late at night to help us sleep.

Perhaps we can supplement the camping for an outdoor pool and hot tub and a spa treatment watching the sunset somewhere like Anantara Vilamoura or St James Club and Villas… just a thought.

    Share This

Written by BonnieF
A journalist by trade, Bonnie is the Editor for Spabreaks.com. Keen to spread the message on accessible wellbeing and a spa experience for all, she thinks green smoothies are somewhat overrated and her favourite spa treatment is an Elemis Couture Technology facial.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Search

  • Recent Posts

    • The most amazing spa pools for spa staycations
    • How to have the best spa staycation this summer
    • Ways to feel good on Blue Monday with little or no cost
    • The new face of luxury aesthetic spa treatments
    • Get the holiday vibe at home and plan things to look forward to


  • Top 10

    • The most amazing spa pools for spa staycations
      January 22, 2021
    • Local spas: explore some of our favourite spas in Manchester
      November 18, 2020
    • Top 10 romantic autumn spa breaks
      September 28, 2020

  • Spa treatments

    • Spa treatments to fight the winter blues
      December 21, 2020
    • Six ways to beat the January blues with aromatherapy
      December 14, 2020
    • Spas to stave off the winter blues this year
      October 28, 2020


© 2001-2019 Spabreaks.com. All rights reserved.