Can bright light increase stress hormones and anxiety?
---------- Advertisement - Article Continues Below ----------
---------- Advertisement Ends ----------
Video Transcript
Can bright light increase stress hormones and anxiety?
Currently, research is mixed.
For instance, some research suggests bright white light can increase cortisol, one of the body’s most powerful stress hormones, while other research suggests bright white light reduces cortisol.
Research also shows bright light causes neither an increase nor decrease in cortisol, whereas other research suggests bright light can increase cortisol when a stress response has already been activated.
Consequently, there is no definitive answer. More research is required.
However, we know bright light can aggravate anxiety symptoms since the eyes are affected by anxiety and hyperstimulation. If you’ve noticed an increase in feeling anxious when exposed to bright light, it could be because of an aggravation of symptoms rather than an increase in stress hormones.
Until research is more settled, you’ll need to assess whether bright light is a factor for you. If it is, you can adjust your lighting, environment, and eyewear accordingly.
---------- Advertisement - Article Continues Below ----------
---------- Advertisement Ends ----------
Additional Resources
- For a comprehensive list of Anxiety Disorders Symptoms Signs, Types, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
- Anxiety and panic attacks symptoms can be powerful experiences. Find out what they are and how to stop them.
- How to stop an anxiety attack and panic.
- Free online anxiety tests to screen for anxiety. Two minute tests with instant results. Such as:
- Anxiety 101 is a summarized description of anxiety, anxiety disorder, and how to overcome it.
Return to our Anxiety Frequent Questions archive.
anxietycentre.com: Information, support, and therapy for anxiety disorder and its symptoms, including:Can bright light increase stress hormones and anxiety?