What I Learned From 7 Days of Darkness
- I have an unfortunate penchant for screens at night-they enable my hyperactive mind, allowing me to make progress on projects despite teh darkness.
- shining lights keep us buzzing late into the night because of our circadian rhythm, which is the body's internal clock.
- I wondered what my life, mind, and body would feel like without the disruption of electric light.
Published January 23, 2026 08:05AM
I have an unfortunate penchant for screens at night-they enable my hyperactive mind, allowing me to make progress on projects despite teh darkness. Even more unfortunate are the results of this unnatural light-time: late-night alertness, ample tossing and turning, and many mornings welcomed with less than six hours of sleep.
shining lights keep us buzzing late into the night because of our circadian rhythm, which is the body’s internal clock. It’s instrumental in the normal functioning of body and mind. It’s also intrinsically tied to light. Before the widespread availability of electricity, human activity was tightly synced with these natural light cycles, as it was for every other living being on the planet. Over time,though,experiencing light after dark shifted from a rare luxury to an everyday fixture.
I wondered what my life, mind, and body would feel like without the disruption of electric light. What if, rather of ending my night when I glance at the clock and realize how late it is indeed, I gave myself the gift of darkness and let my body decide when it’s ready to wind down, rather than my LED-adled mind?
I gave myself one week to find out.
Hello Darkness: My No Light Experiment
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When my boyfriend, Franco, and I agreed to house-sit at a remote farm in the Atlantic Forest of Bahia, Brazil, I knew it was the ideal location for such an experiment. It was worlds away from our apartment in the chaotic heart of Buenos Aires, the South American “city that never sleeps.” And there was not a trace of light pollution to be found. On the farm, we could fall asleep to the forest’s symphony of life, and awake to flocks of toucans and troops of monkeys calling to each other as the sun rose.
It was settled: I’d spend my days working outside on the shaded porch. Once the sun set at 6 pm, I’d shut down my computer and phone and use only candles and a red-light headlamp for illumination. (Red light has been shown to minimally suppress melatonin, similar to fire, since it doesn’t have any blue wavelengths, so I figured its disruption to my circadian rhythm would be negligible.) I planned to wear my Fitbit to measure sleep duration and depth before and during the experiment.
The Benefits of Natural Light
The body has a mind all its own, and light input is one of the signals that instructs it when to wind down and when to ramp up. Darkness t
Circadian Rhythms and Sleep
Circadian rhythms are approximately 24-hour cycles that regulate various physiological processes, including sleep-wake patterns, hormone release, and body temperature. disruptions to these rhythms, often caused by artificial light exposure and irregular schedules, can lead to sleep disturbances and other health problems. Research consistently demonstrates a strong link between aligning lifestyle with natural light-dark cycles and improved sleep quality.
A 2023 study published in the journal Current Biology found that individuals exposed to natural light in the morning experienced significantly improved sleep onset latency and duration compared to those with limited light exposure. Source
Yoga and Biological Union
Yoga, originating in ancient India, is a practice that aims to create union between the mind, body, and spirit. While often associated with physical postures (asanas), yoga encompasses a broader philosophy focused on cultivating awareness and harmony with oneself and the surrounding habitat. The concept of “union” in yoga extends beyond the individual to encompass a connection with the natural world.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at the National Institutes of Health, yoga has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall well-being. Source The practice of aligning oneself with natural rhythms, as described in the provided text, can be viewed as a form of yoga, fostering a sense of interconnectedness.
Living in Sync with Natural Light
Living in sync with the sun and moon, frequently enough referred to as chronobiology, involves aligning daily activities with the natural light-dark cycle. This practice can enhance the body’s natural circadian rhythms, leading to improved sleep, mood, and overall health. The human body is highly sensitive to light, and exposure to sunlight helps regulate the production of melatonin, a hormone crucial for sleep.
A report by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) emphasizes the importance of regular sleep schedules and light exposure for maintaining healthy sleep patterns. Source Specifically, the AASM recommends maximizing exposure to bright light during the day and minimizing exposure to blue light from electronic devices in the evening.As of January 24, 2026, there have been no major updates to these recommendations.
Candlelight and its Impact
While candlelight provides illumination, its impact on circadian rhythms differs significantly from sunlight.Candlelight emits a relatively low intensity of light, particularly lacking the blue light spectrum that strongly suppresses melatonin production. Therefore, using candlelight in the evening is less disruptive to sleep than exposure to artificial light sources like smartphones or televisions.
Research from the lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic institute indicates that the intensity and spectral composition of light are key factors influencing circadian entrainment. Source candlelight,while not as potent as sunlight,can create a calming atmosphere conducive to relaxation and sleep preparation.