Light regulates almost all mechanisms inside the body. Therefore, sleep, mood, and even metabolic health will vary with it. For those who consider light, this is particularly crucial during mornings, when it becomes a natural synchronizer of their circadian rhythms and their health. Let's dig in as to why morning light is important for healthy life:.

Our body clock, or circadian rhythm, consists of a complex system of biological processes that function in approximate 24-hour cycles. The internal timekeeper within us is controlled by some environmental cues, but the main one is light. Our central body clock is contained in the hypothalamus section of the brain and interfaces with clocks in individual cells throughout the body. They affect different functions such as sleep-wake cycles, digestion, and hormone discharge.

This central clock is reset daily by morning light exposure. A light-sensing cell found in the retina sends signals to the brain to mark a new day. This has the effect of synchronizing bodily functions with external environmental change, optimizing health and productivity.

Benefits of Morning Light for Sleep and Mental Health

One of the very important benefits of morning light is its effect on sleep quality. When morning light resets our body clock, it enables better regulation of melatonin - a hormone that makes one sleep. Melatonin production declines due to bright light experienced during the morning hours and creates a feeling of freshness in the body. Later during the night, melatonin increases once again, preparing our body for sleep.

In addition to sleep, morning light also helps improve mental health by inducing serotonin production. Serotonin, commonly known as the "feel-good" hormone, is essential for mood regulation and emotional well-being. The lack of serotonin has been associated with depression and anxiety. Exposure to natural light daily can reduce the risk factors associated with these conditions and improve overall mental health.

Role of Morning Light in Metabolism and Physical Health

Morning light doesn't just affect sleep and mood; it also affects physical health. Research has shown that getting early sunlight exposure can lead to better metabolic function and fewer chances of obesity. In addition, morning light exposure also controls cortisol levels, the stress hormone that peaks at its highest in the early hours. Proper regulation of cortisol helps maintain energy levels, boost immune function, and help control blood sugar.

Light exposure also impacts our digestive system. The gut is a circadian-based organ, and processes like movement of waste are more effective during the day. Therefore, morning light helps us get these processes in sync to ensure proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Why Timing Matters

The timing of light exposure is as important as the light itself. Exposure to light in the morning adjusts our circadian rhythms with the natural day-night cycle, thus better health in general. On the other hand, exposure to artificial light at night disrupts the rhythms, causing sleep problems, metabolic disorders, and even chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

For sleep disorders victims, light therapy is among the most recommended treatment plans that should be followed. Early exposure to bright light that is achieved through sunlight exposure or daylight simulators in any light box can correct imbalances in the body clocks and reduce symptoms of insomnia among other circadian rhythm diseases.

How to Get Morning Light into Your Daily Routine

You don't have to do much to incorporate morning light into your day. Small actions can add up:

• Spend 30 to 45 minutes outside within an hour of waking.
• Take a walk or enjoy breakfast on the porch to maximize exposure.
• Let sunlight directly hit your skin and eyes (don't wear sunglasses).
• The light coming through windows or umbrellas isn't as effective.

Consistency is key. Try to wake up at the same time every day and add light exposure to your morning routine. Even on overcast days, natural light has good effects. Open windows or take a step outside to garner its benefits.

Effect of Light Misalignment

While morning light is beneficial, exposure to light at the wrong time can have serious health consequences. Light pollution, even from dim artificial sources, disrupts the natural sleep-wake cycle. This can impair heart rate, glucose metabolism, and mental health, increasing the risk of depression and anxiety.

Night owls and night shift workers are especially susceptible to these impacts, as their routines frequently conflict with the natural cycles of the body. Research indicates that such mismatched exposure to light increases risks for chronic diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Apart from effects on sleep and metabolism, morning light impacts attention, alertness, and productivity. Mental acuity is greater in the afternoon and evening but is heavily influenced by the amount of early light exposure. Activities requiring concentration - such as driving or working-on benefit from a well set body clock.

It regulates morning light with respect to muscle activity and blood pressure. Since the liver and kidneys break down toxins and drugs in the human body, that too speaks to the importance of maintaining one's health and fitness level.

Exposure to morning light is a simple and powerful tool for improving your health. From regulating sleep to mood, boosting metabolic, and physical functions, exposure to morning light is abundant and well-documented. Find ways to incorporate morning light into your daily routine in the form of stepping outside in the morning, having a breakfast al fresco or opening your windows.

Get your body clock aligned to natural light and pave a way for better health and improved well-being and a more productive day.

During times of crisis or heightened emotions, we seek our elders for some clarity as well as for someone who will keep a cool head during these times. We are always told that wisdom and ways to handle difficult situations are things we gain as we age and a new study shows that this fact holds a lot of truth. We all remember our grandparents and how sweet, calm and patient they were, no matter how many times we messed up or did things that would anger our parents.

A new study suggests this isn't just a personality trait but a skill that improves with age, particularly for women. Research published in the journal Menopause indicates that as women age, especially from middle age onward, their ability to manage anger significantly improves.

Anger Intensifies, Expression Softens

Here's the interesting part: this doesn't mean older women feel less angry. In fact, the study, which looked at information from 271 women over many years, found that they actually reported feeling angrier more often and more strongly as they aged. But here's the key difference: they were much less likely to show their anger outwardly or act in a hostile way. So, even though the feeling of anger might be stronger, their ability to control how they react becomes much better. They might feel it, but they don't necessarily let it burst out.

Why the Shift?

So, why does this happen? Researchers have a couple of ideas. One thought is that as women reach middle age and go through menopause, they often feel a stronger sense of "generativity." This basically means they feel a deep need to help and care for others, especially younger generations, and to make a positive impact on the world. This feeling might help them become more emotionally mature and integrated.

Another idea is that women might become more strategic about how they express their anger. Instead of just lashing out, they might choose more positive and constructive ways to deal with their feelings, which can actually help improve their relationships. When women use anger in these more positive ways, they often feel more empowered and have better self-esteem.

Knowing When Your Anger Is A Problem

According to the American Psychological Association, anger management aims to lessen both the strong feelings of anger you experience and the physical reactions it triggers in your body. While you can't always avoid or change the people or situations that make you angry, you can learn to control how you react.

There are tests that can measure how intense your anger is, how often you get angry, and how well you handle it. However, if you're struggling with anger, you probably already know it. If your actions feel out of control or frightening to you, it might be time to seek help in finding healthier ways to deal with this powerful emotion.

What Does This Study Imply?

Experts point out that the changes women experience during menopause can really affect their mental well-being, both in their personal lives and at work. She explains that shifts in hormones during times like postpartum (after childbirth), during monthly periods, and around menopause can lead to strong mood swings, including feelings of anger and hostility. She stresses that if women are informed about these possible mood changes and get help managing their symptoms, it can make a huge difference in their overall quality of life and health. The study's authors also believe we need more research to understand women's anger in everyday situations, which can give us even more helpful tips on managing emotions and anger.

In 1998, a mysterious and deadly illness emerged among pig farmers in Malaysia, later identified as the Nipah virus (NiV), a bat-borne zoonotic pathogen from the Henipavirus genus. It caused severe respiratory illness and encephalitis, claiming over 100 lives and decimating the pig farming industry.

The virus reappeared in Singapore in 1999. Over time, it was clear that the outbreaks weren’t isolated events. NiV had entrenched itself across regions with certain ecological and socio-cultural conditions, particularly in South and Southeast Asia.

Today, NiV is considered one of the World Health Organization's priority diseases for research and development due to its high case fatality rate (up to 100% in some outbreaks), human-to-human transmissibility, and pandemic potential.

25 Years, 754 Cases, 435 Deaths

As of May 2024, there have been 754 confirmed human Nipah cases reported across five countries—Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines—with 435 deaths, averaging a staggering case fatality rate (CFR) of 58%

.

The most affected countries are:

• Bangladesh: 341 cases, 241 deaths (CFR 71%)
• India: 102 cases, 74 deaths (CFR 73%)
• Malaysia: 283 cases, 109 deaths (CFR 39%)
• Philippines: 17 cases, 9 deaths (CFR 53%)
• Singapore: 11 cases, 1 death (CFR 9%)

Unlike Malaysia and the Philippines, where the virus spread through intermediate hosts like pigs or horses, cases in Bangladesh and India have been directly linked to bat-to-human transmission—primarily through the consumption of raw date palm sap contaminated by infected fruit bats.

Why Does Nipah Still Exist?

Fruit Bats Are Permanent Reservoirs

Nipah virus resides in Pteropus fruit bats, which are widely distributed across Asia, the Pacific Islands, and even parts of Africa. These bats are natural carriers and do not show symptoms of the disease, making them difficult to monitor or control. NiV RNA and antibodies have been found in bats in at least 15 countries, including India, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Ghana.

Human Habits Enable Spillover

In regions like Bangladesh, seasonal practices such as collecting fresh date palm sap—a delicacy also consumed raw—provide a direct interface between humans and bat secretions. The virus can contaminate sap through bat saliva or urine.

Moreover, in the Philippines, outbreaks were traced to the butchering and consumption of sick horses. These recurring interactions with potential intermediary hosts keep the door open for viral spillover.

Human-to-Human Transmission

Although not as contagious as influenza or COVID-19, human-to-human transmission of NiV has been confirmed in Bangladesh and India. Some outbreaks have shown vertical transmission (mother to child) and transmission among caregivers and family members.

This capability increases the risk of community spread, particularly in regions with delayed detection or inadequate isolation infrastructure.

No Vaccine, No Cure

Despite being on the global priority pathogen list, there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Nipah. Management remains supportive, relying on early diagnosis and intensive care. In resource-constrained regions, especially rural South Asia, this becomes a daunting challenge.

Bangladesh and India: The Epicenters of Ongoing Risk

Since 2001, both Bangladesh and India have reported almost every year either isolated or clustered cases of Nipah virus, particularly in Kerala and West Bengal (India) and multiple districts in Bangladesh.

Notably, 2023 saw Bangladesh’s highest ever reported NiV cases and deaths. In 2024, the country reported two cases—both of which were fatal, marking a 100% CFR for the year

.

Efforts in both countries have been ramped up. Surveillance now includes:

• Testing date palm sap for contamination
• Educating communities to avoid raw consumption
• Quarantining suspected cases
• Expanding diagnostic labs and outbreak response teams

Still, challenges remain due to cultural habits, lack of rapid testing in rural areas, and public fatigue around health advisories.

The Risk of a Wider Spread

Though human NiV cases have so far been reported only in Asia, the potential for global spread exists. Several factors fuel this concern:

Genetic adaptability: The virus has shown potential for genetic reassortment, raising fears of a more transmissible strain.

Broad geographic distribution: NiV-carrying bats exist far beyond the current outbreak zones.

Environmental change: Deforestation, land-use changes, and climate shifts are bringing bats closer to human habitats.

Global travel and trade: A delayed diagnosis in one international traveler could enable the virus to spread outside endemic zones.

What Needs to Be Done?

A Global “One Health” Approach

The study by Sakirul Khan et al. emphasizes the urgent need for multisectoral collaboration—involving human health, veterinary, and environmental sciences—to monitor and prevent outbreaks

. A “One World, One Health” model is key.

Steps must include:

• Strengthening high-containment laboratories in risk zones
• Continuous monitoring of viral genetic changes
• Developing and testing vaccines and antiviral therapies
• Investing in bat ecology research and habitat protection
• Community engagement and behavioral change strategies

Known for her iconic role as Claire in the Modern Family, Julie Bowen who is a versatile American actress, recently spoke about the rare heart condition she's was diagnosed with at 29.

Speaking about it on the first episode of 'Inside of You' with host Micheal Rosenbaum, Julie revealed her condition 'shy sinus syndrome' that caused her to have a low resting heart rate. She also explained how, due to the condition, she also has had a pacemaker put in place.

Lifelong Low Heart Rate and a Surprising Diagnosis

Bowen explained that she has always had a remarkably low resting heart rate, even around 30 beats per minute at times, a significant deviation from the normal range of 60 to 100 beats per minute for women. This was due to sick sinus syndrome, a heart rhythm disorder exacerbated in her case by hypervagotonia, an overactive vagus nerve. Despite being a competitive runner, her low heart rate was a constant, though initially unexplained, characteristic.

The John Hopkins Medicine explains that sick sinus syndrome (SSS) occurs when your heart's natural pacemaker, the sinoatrial (SA) node in the upper right chamber, becomes damaged and can no longer regulate your heartbeat properly. This damage can result from underlying medical conditions or certain medications, leading to heartbeats that are too slow, too fast, or fluctuate between both extremes.

Recognizing the Symptoms

You might have SSS with no symptoms at all, or only mild ones. However, if symptoms do appear, they can include:

• Dizziness
• Fainting (syncope)
• Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity
• Heart palpitations (a fluttering or pounding sensation in your chest)
• Chest pain

How Is Sick Sinus Syndrome Diagnosed?

The turning point for Julie came thanks to her sister, Annie Luetkemeyer, who had just graduated from medical school. During a family vacation, her sister, still in the habit of carrying a stethoscope, insisted on listening to Bowen's heart. "That is not what they've been telling you, and it's not runner's heart or whatever. That means you need to go to a cardiologist," her sister declared, refusing to let the issue drop

Your healthcare provider might suspect SSS based on your symptoms, but these symptoms can be common to many other conditions. To confirm a diagnosis, your provider will likely perform an electrocardiogram (ECG), which records your heart's electrical activity, rate, and rhythm. If you're not experiencing symptoms during the ECG, the results may appear normal. Other diagnostic tests that may be used include:

Stress test: An ECG performed while you exercise on a treadmill.

Holter monitor: A portable device you wear for over 24 hours to continuously record your heart's electrical activity.

Event recorder: A device worn for several days that records your heart rate only when symptoms occur.

Electrophysiologic testing: A hospital procedure where catheters are threaded into your heart through a vein in your thigh to study its electrical system.

Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of your heart to check for structural problems.

Treatment Options For SSS

About a month after her sister's crucial warning, Bowen was filming the pilot for "Ed" when she was faced with the reality of needing a pacemaker. Initially, the news was daunting. "I was like, 'Oh my God. My life is over. This is so weird. I'm gonna die,'" she recalled. However, doctors explained that while the condition wasn't immediately fatal, it would lead to her frequently passing out.

Bowen described a sensation of lightheadedness, particularly when she was relaxed, feeling "like I'd been holding my breath for a while." The critical warning that solidified her decision was the risk of passing out while driving and potentially harming someone. "Oh, well, then give me the Goddamn pacemaker," she decided.

Her pacemaker is now set to ensure her heart rate doesn't drop below 45 beats per minute. She shared that the surgical insertion was done discreetly through her armpit, leaving no visible scar. While she's had to have the batteries replaced three times, she largely forgets about it now, a testament to how seamlessly it has integrated into her life.

While this is one way to treat her condition, here are some other ways your doctor may choose to go about your treatment,

Medication adjustment

If certain medications are contributing to your SSS, your healthcare provider may change your prescription.

Blood thinners

Because SSS can increase the risk of blood clots forming in the heart and leading to a stroke, you may be prescribed blood thinners as a preventive measure.