Camping hailed as the new alternative therapy

Sunday, 02 Aug, 2013 0

People who have difficulty sleeping should book a camping holiday, according to new research.

A study in the US claims camping for a week can "reset the biological clock that governs our sleeping patterns", the BBC reports.

Study volunteers camped out for a week in Colorado and torches and electronic devices were banned during the experiment. The only night time light was provided by the campfire.

"The result was that the waking and sleeping patterns of all eight volunteers synchronised with the rising and setting of the sun," according to the report.

The volunteers experienced around 400% more sunlight than they were normally exposed to.

Prof Kenneth Wright of the University of Colorado, which carried out the research, said: "We think that modern electric lighting patterns and a reduction in exposure to sunlight are contributing to later sleep schedules and difficulties with alertness in the morning.

"After exposure to the natural light dark cycle, melatonin levels were low just before the volunteers woke up, suggesting our brain is starting to promote wakefulness after we have been exposed to these natural cues."



 

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Lisa

Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.



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