Summary: Light and Exercise Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC Executive Director, AllCEUs Objectives ~ Learn about light, light therapy and circadian rhythms ~ Define exercise ~ Highlight the benefits of exercise: Emotional, Mental, Physical and Social. ~ Review points about exercise that every person should know ~ Explore how exercise can be incorporated into a daily routine Light ~ Circadian rhythms must be synchronized on a regular basis ~ Suprachiasmatic (supra-ki-asmatic) nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus as the central circadian pacemaker ~ The SCN receives direct input from the retina ~ This is reinforced through downstream neural (thinking), neuroendocrine (stress), and autonomic (breathing/heart rate/temperature) outputs. (social training) ~ Normal sunlight has the benefit of setting circadian rhythms as well as helping the body produce Vitamin D which makes neurotransmitters more bioavailable. Light ~ Daily interactions between the hypothalamic and the (SCN) regulate: ~ Body temperature ~ Cortisol, sex hormone, serotonin, melatonin levels ~ Feeding rhythms, energy expenditure, thermogenesis, and active and basal metabolism. Light ~ Intensity (>200lux/6000 kelvin/
