Maybe this is why you're sick, Nigel

From the Taipei times:

"A number of health and environmental problems are due to a loss of darkness," says Dr David Crawford, executive director of the International Dark-Sky Association, a group that campaigns against light pollution. "And it will get worse as we creep -- or rush -- to a 24/7 world. All of life, all of it, has evolved with a day/night cycle -- the circadian rhythm. It's essential to good health. Many studies are now showing that those who go without a true day/night cycle are adversely impacting their immune systems, and that's not good."

Humans have known for a long time that banishing the dark from our lives has a powerful effect. "Don't forget," reminds Dijk, "continuous light has long been used as a method of torture."

Interesting article - especially in light of the fact that I had three late nights in a row this weekend and am now feeling very tired. But what is the alternative? In winter especially, even with my 8:30-5 working hours, there isn't much time for life outside of work if I stay in the dark once the sun has gone down. This is a challenge, to say the least, and it throws an interesting scientific curveball towards our work/life balance discussion.

Perhaps all the more reason to find a satisfying job - what Blogger Christopher Bailey would call Soulful work.