Let There Be Light
I’ve Been Nerding Out on Light
So here’s the deal: I’m in Guatemala right now, and every time I find myself in a sunny environment—whether it’s a Canadian summer or a Guatemalan coastline—I feel insanely better. This isn't a placebo. I’ve started tracking data, metrics, the whole nine yards, and sunlight is undeniably a physiological game changer. It’s no surprise, really. That massive fireball in the sky gives life to everything on this planet, so of course, it’s critical for our health.
Here’s some no-BS info about light that everyone can use. Let’s go.
The Essential Spectrums of Light: A No-Nonsense Guide to Owning Your Health
Light isn’t just a thing that helps you see—it’s a life force. It drives your energy, mood, sleep, and even cellular health. The electromagnetic spectrum is massive, but only three bands matter when it comes to your health: Ultraviolet (UV) light, Visible light, and Infrared light.
Here’s the breakdown you need—and how to make it work for you.
Visible Light: The Body’s Alarm Clock
Visible light (380nm-780nm) is the rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. It’s what syncs your circadian rhythm (your internal clock) and lets you function. But not all colors are created equal. Two wavelengths are the real MVPs for your health: blue light and red light.
Blue Light (380nm-510nm): The Daytime Hustler
Why You Need It: Blue light wakes you the hell up. It shuts down melatonin (your sleep hormone) and amps up alertness, keeping you sharp and focused during the day.
Why It Can Suck: At night, it’s your worst enemy. Artificial blue light from screens and LED bulbs kills melatonin production, wrecking your sleep.
How to Use It: Max out on blue light in the morning—natural sunlight is the ultimate source. At night? Kill the screens or wear blue-light-blocking glasses to wind down.
Red Light (650nm-780nm): The Nighttime Healer
Why You Need It: Red light is the chill, grounding counterpart to blue light. It doesn’t mess with melatonin, making it perfect for your evening wind-down.
Pro Tip: Red light therapy is legit. It reduces inflammation, speeds up muscle recovery, and boosts skin health. Use it to recover after a hard day—or a hard workout.
Ultraviolet (UV) Light: The Vitamin D Factory
UV light (200nm-400nm) isn’t visible, but it’s a big deal. It’s where vitamin D production happens—a process your immune system, bones, and overall health can’t live without.
UVA (315-400nm): Boosts serotonin, your natural feel-good neurotransmitter.
UVB (280-315nm): This is where the magic happens. UVB triggers vitamin D production in your skin, which is crucial for literally everything.
How to Get It Right:
Get outside in the morning. Sunlight is free, effective, and way better than any supplement.
Don’t overdo it. Burns and wrinkles aren’t worth the trade-off.
Infrared Light: The Recovery Powerhouse
Infrared light (780nm-1mm) is that warm, invisible energy you feel from the sun—or a fire. It’s a deep healer, working at the cellular level to regenerate, repair, and energize.
Near-Infrared (NIR): The Cellular Charger
What It Does: Penetrates your skin to boost cellular regeneration, improve circulation, and speed up recovery.
How to Use It: Look for NIR light therapy devices or hit up a good infrared sauna.
Mid-Infrared (MIR) and Far-Infrared (FIR): Deep Healing
These go even deeper, targeting muscles, joints, and bones. Perfect for stiffness, soreness, or injuries.
How to Use Light Like a Pro
Morning Sunlight: Start your day with 10-20 minutes outside. It syncs your body clock, wakes you up, and boosts serotonin.
Daytime Brightness: Get near windows or step outside during breaks. Natural light isn’t just nice—it’s non-negotiable.
Nighttime Chill: Swap out cool, white lights for warmer, red-toned ones. Shut off screens or filter blue light to prep for sleep.
Infrared Therapy: Use NIR or FIR light for muscle recovery, improved circulation, and next-level skin health.
The Bigger Picture
Light is the ultimate hack for better health—free, simple, and ridiculously effective. UV light gives you vitamin D. Visible light keeps your body clock on track. Infrared light repairs you from the inside out.
Want to nerd out even more? Grab a copy of Health and Light by David Ott. His experiments with light on plants and animals will blow your mind—and might just make you rethink everything about your light environment.
Take control of your light exposure, and you will take a massive step in controlling your health.
Live. Your. Mystery.
PP Boys ⚡️⚡️⚡️
P.S…
Are you looking for the best Personal Training in Collingwood? CLICK HERE
Are you injured and in need of an expert Physiotherapist in Collingwood? CLICK HERE
Want to join us on a retreat? CLICK HERE
New podcast episodes dropping every Friday! CLICK HERE