At a Glance

A recent study examined how natural light and darkness impact circadian rhythm.Researchers found that modern electrical lighting can delay our natural sleep clock.

If you're having problems sleeping at night, it might be time to head for the woods, mountains or a nearby lake.

A new study from researchers at the University of ColoradoBoulderpublished in Current Biology claims that just. The study found thatgetting away from electrical lighting emitted by computers, phones and cities impacts the body's circadianrhythm in a way that promotes better sleep.

The study's senior author, Kenneth Wright, asked test participants to camp in Colorado parks for a weekend while he asked others to stay home and perform their normal weekend routine. Wright then examined levels of the hormone melatonin, which makes the body feel tired and its levels usually rise a few hours before someone goes to bed, in all of his subjects over the course of theweekend.

(MORE: )

In the modern environment, those melatonin levels ," Wright told NPR."Our brains say we should be sleeping several hours after we wake up."

When he compared those results to the participants who spent a weekend in the great outdoors, he found that the campers' melatonin levels were more regulated and that they were going to bed and waking up two or more hours earlier than they had before the trip.

The body's clock regulates more than sleep. When Circadian timing is out of sync, it can lead to health problems, ranging from diabetes to mood disorders and altered cognitive ability.

Wright acknowledges that a weekend getawayisn't feasible for everyone and suggests turning off phones, tablets and laptops long before bedtime as a reasonable alternative. Sitting close to a window to take in more sunlight or going outside more during the day can also help the process. in planning future offices and residential structures.

“Our findings highlight an opportunity for architectural design to bring more natural sunlight into the modern built environment and to work with lighting companies to incorporate tunable lighting that could change across the day and night to enhance performance, health and well-being,” Wright added.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Night Sky Camping