On Valentine’s Day, cut the light out

NEWDELHI: This year, be your own Valentine.

Cut the light out at night. There is an increasing link being made with how light can possibly increase breast cancer.

The science is this — bright lights (or even working at night shifts for a long period of time) will disrupt a woman’s circadian rhythm, (and melatonin secretion) and impact estrogen in her body. Indeed, melatonin secretion impacts the amount of estrogen in the body. This feeds specific types of breast cancers that feed on hormones.

The science has mostly dwelt on bright, outdoor lights. Now, if you live in an Indian city, you know what this means.

Many of our residential areas have begun installing extra powerful lights (almost like in stadia), supposedly to prevent theft.

These are just some sources of light that we are exposed to. A night lamp that even lights up the room slightly is also no friend of the body.

I find it easy to fall asleep with outdoor light beaming into my bedroom. Is that good? Research suggests it is not.

This Valentine’s Day, I will order thick curtains because if there’s love to be thrown around, let it start with one’s own body.

I plan to switch on low, red light lamps at night because the research suggests they disrupt sleep less.

And then the obvious — avoid blue lights, such as from your cell phone. So I won’t check messages even if I wake up at night. Let science dictate the night.