It is quite impressive how important lighting can be for one’s mood and overall health. It actually can improve mood and stabilize our circadian rhythms, helping us get a better and deeper night’s sleep. And for me, a good night’s sleep is essential to my mood upon awakening!
Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. These natural processes respond primarily to light and dark and affect most living things, including animals, plants, and microbes.
Psychologically, light can decrease depression scores and even increase cognitive performance, such as reaction time and activation. But too much light can have negative consequences as well. For example, one study found that bright light exposure increased anxiety and decreased relaxation.
One of the simplest ways to automate lights in your house is to plug lamps in each room into a smart plug. Then use your phone to control all the lamps from a single app.
But what if you do not know how to adjust and correctly set the lighting? Or you do not have the time to do so? Home automation companies understand the importance of lighting and how it affects us. They have therefore created lighting systems that allow us to set the perfect light for any mood or activity with the touch of a “button.”
Some lighting companies that offer this type of system are Lutron, Philips Hue, Belkin WeMo, and Cree Connected LED Bulb. These systems allow us to create different lighting scenes and schedule when we want them to turn on/off and even dim the lights gradually to help us fall asleep.
Again though, if you are like me, you have bought several different brands over the last few years, and I have no idea how to connect them all to work at their maximum capacity and efficiency. And now, I need a professional home automation company again. These companies also keep your equipment and software up to date as technology rapidly changes.
In short, light affects our mood and circadian rhythms in a big way. Therefore, finding the right lighting solution for your needs, whether a simple lamp or a full-blown home automation system, is essential.
What are the different types of lighting?
Three types of lighting have particular functions to fulfill specific needs, are:
- Ambient lighting
- Task lighting
- Accent lighting
The next time you’re in a room, take notice of the lighting. See how it makes you feel and change it if needed. You may be surprised at how much better you feel.
Other types of lighting, each with their distinctive benefits:
- Natural light
This is the best type of lighting because it is closest to the light our bodies are designed to process. As a result, sunlight helps improve our mood and overall health, and it can also help stabilize our circadian rhythms.
- Fluorescent light
Fluorescent lighting is typical in office settings and schools. It is bright and efficient but can also be harsh and cause eye strain.
- LED light
LED lighting is becoming more popular because it is energy-efficient and doesn’t produce as much heat as other types of lighting.
- Incandescent light
Incandescent lighting is the traditional type of light bulb. It is not as energy-efficient as LED or fluorescent bulbs but produces a warm, inviting light.
What’s really disturbing is the lighting they use in schools. Why would one consider that a benefit to students trying to learn copious amounts of useless information? The lightbulbs they use are incredibly bright, and after a while, they start to give kids headaches. Plus, the glare on the computer screen is really bad for eyesight as well. And today, that is how learning is done; on computers, all day long.
Lighting can have many positive and negative impacts on student health and wellbeing. Some of the benefits of LED lighting in schools are improving school safety and reducing eyestrain and other difficulties associated with lighting.
It is vital to have good lighting in schools so that students can see their work and learn effectively, but it is also essential to find a balance so that the lighting does not become a detriment to their health. Too much light can have negative consequences, such as increased anxiety and decreased relaxation. I see it in my own kids! It’s crucial to find a balance that works for students. One way to do this is by using natural light sources whenever possible and using dimmer switches or lamps to control the amount of artificial light in the room.
What is natural lighting called?
Daylighting
Natural lighting, also known as daylighting, is a technique that efficiently brings natural light into your home using exterior glazing (windows, skylights, etc.), thereby reducing artificial lighting requirements and saving energy.
According to Wikipedia: Daylighting is the practice of placing windows, skylights, other openings, and reflective surfaces so that sunlight (direct or indirect) can provide effective internal lighting. Particular attention is given to daylighting while designing a building when the aim is to maximize visual comfort or to reduce energy use. Energy savings can be achieved from the reduced use of artificial (electric) lighting or from passive solar heating. Artificial lighting energy use can be reduced by simply installing fewer electric lights where daylight is present or by automatically dimming/switching off electric lights in response to the presence of daylight – a process known as daylight harvesting.
The amount of daylight received in an internal space can be analyzed by measuring illuminance on a grid or undertaking a daylight factor calculation. Computer programs such as Radiance allow an architect or engineer to quickly calculate benefits of a particular design. The human eye’s response to light is non-linear, so a more even distribution of the same amount of light makes a room appear brighter.
Sources of Natural Lighting
Effective natural lighting will emit natural light but will avoid the emittance of direct sun on task surfaces or into occupants’ eyes. Daylight inside a home can come from three sources:
- Direct sunlight
- External reflection
- Internal reflection
How does lighting affect the mood?
In conclusion, whether you are automating your whole home with professionals, a student in a crappy lit classroom, or just changing one bulb in your bedroom, lighting profoundly does in fact, affect us humans. But, as already stated, lighting can boost our moods, help us concentrate, or even make us feel calmer.
Be sure to consider how different lighting types might affect you before making any drastic changes, and as always, consult a professional if you’re unsure.