The Importance of Dark Sleep - Healing Developmental Trauma & Mood Disorders Support
Healing Developmental Trauma and Complex-PTSD: Healing the Nervous System.
Healing the nervous system is a core element of developmental trauma healing. When thinking about trauma in biological terms, it is a bundle of stress energy, waiting for permission to leave the nervous system. Until the trauma energy is discharged, its trauma based contents activate the nervous system like a stress program.
Developmental Trauma Healing - The sympathetic nervous system
Levels of stress, and corresponding stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are more prevalent in a nervous system that is carrying trauma. This can interfere with sleep, and contribute to a cycle of increasing stress.
Signs of sympathetic nervous system arousal (stress response)
feeling agitated or jumpy (easily disturbed by external stimuli like sounds)
perspiration
increased heart rate
muscle tension
slowed digestive process or difficulties with digestive process
dry mouth
tears or tearing ( in the outside corners of the eyes)
Sleep, the Endocrine System, and Developmental Trauma Healing
When sunlight enters the eyes and strikes the light receptors inside the eye, electrical signals travel to various regions in the brain to trigger a release of cortisol into the bloodstream. This is a natural and necessary biological function that helps us to wake up in the morning, and be alert throughout the day in response to morning sunlight.
However, if sleeping in conditions where the room is dimly lit or not sufficiently dark, the biological response to the light in the room interferes with the natural sleep cycle.
During deep sleep, the body enters regenerative cycles. Studies assessing the effects of light exposure during sleep time indicate that the nervous system is negatively impacted by light exposure during sleep time. For example, somebody sleeping in a dimly lit room that is insufficiently dark will experience increased heart rate and decreased heart rate variability, as well as insulin resistance the next day - which can all contribute to reduced wellness, and increase cortisol and day time stress.
Reducing light exposure between the hours of 10PM and 4AM, and reducing light exposure during sleep time can help to regulate the nervous system and bring more calm into the body, assisting developmental trauma healing, and general wellbeing.
https://journals.lww.com/nrronline/fulltext/2023/03000/Lights_at_night__does_photobiomodulation_improve.2.aspx
