A brighter outlook

We are clawing our way through the end of this winter, and northern hemisphere days are beginning to lengthen and brighten. But while we wait for the restorative power of natural light, computer vision and modern technology can help to boost our mood during dark evenings, and maintain our mental well-being.

Widen your spectrum for better sleep

We’ve been told for years that daylight is good for us, as higher levels of sunlight boost our mood-controlling serotonin levels. As nights draw in and darkness settles, our bodies produce more melatonin in preparation for sleep. As dawn approaches, our bodies are designed to suppress this melatonin allowing us to awake feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead. As daylight in the northern hemisphere’s winter might not feature until well into our working day, this natural process can only happen with the help of a “sunrise alarm” – a device which emits dawn-like light beginning around half an hour before waking up and gradually increasing to simulate sunrise.

It’s believed that the blue light emitted by electronic devices can interfere with this natural (circadian) rhythm, making drifting off and staying asleep harder. More recent experiments suggest that introducing light from the other end of the spectrum reverses this, and lighting your evening with orange and red light helps people relax. A range of apps have been developed which claim to address this, such as f.lux, which adjusts the color temperature of screens to help users relax and maintain their natural sleep patterns.

Computer vision and mental health

We’ve written previously about using AI and computer vision to identify depression. Computer vision is playing a key role in diagnosing mental illness as software providers teach devices to interpret non-verbal indicators such as facial expressions, eye gaze and head gestures. AI algorithms help to scrutinize these factors over time and understand changes in patients’ well-being. This means that systems are being developed that not only help diagnose depression but can monitor the effectiveness of treatment as well. With the global pandemic entering its third year and a cost-of-living crisis building in many countries, keeping tabs on our population’s mental health has never been more important.

Medical imaging is also involved in the battle to maintain mental well-being. In 2020, a new study in the US using brain imaging was unveiled. Prior to patients receiving treatment, researchers used an electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure electrical activity in the patient’s cortex. A machine-learning algorithm then analyzed EEG data to predict which patients would benefit from receiving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication. While this trial is in very early stages, it’s possible that future dark days might not be quite so dark for some.

Supporting mental well-being

Computer vision and image processing techniques have long been enhancing medical processes. It’s not surprising, therefore, that modern technology can be used to intervene at an even earlier stage and assist in preventing clinical depression and emotional decline.

Read more about computer vision in healthcare and see which of our products might be right for supporting your medical or psychological application.