By realigning one’s circadian rhythm to a more natural cycle through the use of chronotherapy, one may be able to improve depression. Chronotherapy refers to realigning the body with the cues it would normally be exposed to in a natural environment. For example, getting exposed to bright light during the day and limiting artificial light at night can realign the body with the natural day/light cycles and may help to improve depression. In fact, research in the Journal of Affective Disorders shows that chronotherapy interventions are well-tolerated and even more effective than psychotherapy and antidepressants in treating depression.

Additional practices such as exercise during the day and time-restricted eating to the daylight hours may also restore natural circadian rhythms. Overall, circadian rhythm realignment through chronotherapy appears to have exciting potential to treat depression, either by itself or alongside other more standard treatments.