Can You Overdo Light Therapy? The Risks You Need to Know
Understanding Light Therapy and How It Works
Light therapy has become a popular solution for everything from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) to improving sleep patterns and boosting mood. You’ve probably heard how people swear by it, right? And let me tell you, I’ve seen it work wonders for a few of my friends. But here’s the question that’s been on my mind recently: Can you overdo light therapy? It sounds like something that can’t possibly be harmful, right? Well, not so fast. Let’s break it down.
What is Light Therapy?
Light therapy involves exposing yourself to bright light, typically from a special light box, to treat certain conditions. It's mostly used in the winter months to help those suffering from SAD (when daylight is scarce) and to help regulate sleep cycles. The idea is simple: exposure to light can help reset your internal body clock, boosting serotonin and making you feel more awake and alert.
Can Light Therapy Be Harmful if Done Too Much?
Here’s where things get a little murky. While light therapy has its benefits, overdoing it can cause some issues. It’s easy to think more light equals more good, but like anything, balance is key. In fact, I remember a conversation I had with a colleague about his struggles with light therapy. He was so eager to see results quickly that he started using it for hours on end—turns out, that was a mistake.
Potential Side Effects of Overusing Light Therapy
Eye strain: Light therapy often involves exposure to bright lights, sometimes even as intense as 10,000 lux (about 20 times brighter than regular indoor lighting). If you overdo it, your eyes might start to feel strained or uncomfortable. I know a friend who started using it for two hours a day and ended up with some really bad headaches. Not fun!
Disrupted sleep patterns: Ironically, too much light exposure, especially in the evening, can mess with your sleep. Your body needs time to wind down, and if you’re exposed to bright lights too late, you could be setting yourself up for insomnia. I’ve been guilty of using a light box too late at night once—let's just say I didn’t sleep well at all.
Mania or restlessness: In some cases, people using light therapy—especially those with bipolar disorder—have reported feeling more jittery or restless. This can happen if the therapy overstimulates the brain's production of serotonin. So, be cautious if you're prone to mood swings or have a history of mental health issues.
How Long Should You Use Light Therapy?
If you’re new to light therapy or just curious about how much is too much, here’s a general guideline: Most experts recommend around 20-30 minutes per day. This is usually enough to see benefits, without running the risk of overexposure. That said, the duration and intensity can vary based on your personal needs. Some people need less time, while others might benefit from a bit more, but pushing past that 1-hour mark regularly could be risky.
What Happens if You Use It for Too Long?
A few studies have suggested that overexposure to light therapy, particularly with high-intensity lights, may lead to headaches, nausea, or even an increase in anxiety. And I can’t help but think back to a time when I read about a person who overused the therapy thinking it would "cure" their symptoms faster. It wasn’t until they scaled back their sessions that they noticed an improvement, both mentally and physically.
The Bottom Line: How to Use Light Therapy Safely
The key is moderation. It’s tempting to use light therapy all the time, especially when you hear success stories, but remember: too much of anything is never good. To get the most out of light therapy, it’s important to follow the recommended guidelines, pay attention to your body’s responses, and, when in doubt, consult with a healthcare provider.
Listen to Your Body
If you start feeling uneasy, like experiencing eye strain, difficulty sleeping, or headaches, it’s time to scale back. I learned this the hard way when I pushed my light therapy sessions too long in an attempt to "fix" my sleep problems faster. Let me tell you, it didn’t work that way, and I ended up needing to recalibrate my routine. So, listen to your body, and adjust accordingly.
Conclusion: Can You Overdo Light Therapy?
Yes, you can overdo light therapy. While it’s a great tool for improving mood and regulating sleep, it’s important not to go overboard. A little goes a long way, and finding that sweet spot—20-30 minutes a day—can do wonders without the risk of side effects. Just remember, it’s all about balance, as with anything in life. Stay mindful of how your body responds, and don't hesitate to dial back if you notice anything odd.
So, go ahead, use that light therapy, but just don’t overdo it. Your body will thank you!
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.