The Astonishing Power of Lighting on Your Well-being

We read an article (well, Rachel read it and told the rest of the team about it) over the weekend about how Gwyneth Paltrow is apparently wearing vitamin IV drips casually to interviews, among engaging other highly unusual self-administered and prescribed “wellness” approaches. It is never a good idea to listen to anyone but a true health professional, particularly when doing something invasive to your body. We will never advise anything beyond exposing ourselves naturally to… nature. No shoving nature in our ears or up our noses for health causes. How about if we just… sit in the sun?

Did you know that the lighting in our buildings can have a profound effect on our mood and well-being? It’s true! The right lighting can help us feel more alert and energized, while the wrong lighting can make us feel tired and even depressed.

Our Island Center Bath project is surrounded by natural daylight- what a wonderful way to spend a bath!

The Power of Light – Brighten Up Your Life

Light plays an important role in our lives; it illuminates our day-to-day activities. It can also affect our moods, energy levels, and overall sense of well-being. It has the power to make us feel alert, energetic, and even happy. The type of lighting that we choose to use in our home is an important decision, since it can have a big impact on our environment. Natural sunlight is considered the best source of lighting, not only because it’s free, but also because it has a positive effect on us. Sunlight helps us to wake up in the morning, can reduce stress, and boost our moods. However, there are some drawbacks to relying solely on natural light. It’s not always available, and it’s not always bright enough to be effective in the evening hours. That’s where artificial lighting comes in. 

The Different Types of Light and Their Effects on Us

The type of lighting that we use in our buildings can have a huge impact on how we feel. Different types of light can have different effects on us. Fluorescent lighting, for example, is generally too harsh for general lighting and can cause headaches and eye strain. Incandescent lighting can also be quite harsh and can cause our eyes to become fatigued easily. On the other hand, LED lighting is a great choice because it’s gentler on the eyes and provides better illumination in dark areas. It also produces less heat, which is important for reducing stress and improving sleep. Natural light is still the best choice, but when it’s not available, LED lighting is a great alternative. 

How to Use Lighting to Improve Your Mood and Well-being

Our Vashon Hangar Home utilized natural daylight and the reflection of light by widening the skylight wells for smaller skylights and then utilizing the vertical space within the well for artificial lighting, replication the location the light comes from during the day.

The right lighting can help to improve our moods and well-being. To get the most benefit from lighting, try to choose a light that’s not too bright and that won’t cause your eyes to feel strained. Also, try to make use of natural light whenever possible. Open up the curtains and blinds during the day, and make sure your home is well-ventilated. In the evenings, try to avoid harsh overhead lighting and opt for softer, indirect lighting. Soft, warm lighting has been proven to be soothing, calming, and even romantic, so it can be a great way to relax after a long day. 

The Science Behind Lighting and Its Effects on Us

Light has a profound effect on us because it directly affects our circadian rhythms. Our bodies respond to different wavelengths of light, which can have both physiological and psychological effects on us. For example, blue light, which is found in sunlight, is known to make us more alert and energized. Blue light also suppresses the production of melatonin, which is important for our sleep cycle. On the other hand, red and orange light has been shown to have a calming and relaxing effect. These types of light can actually reduce the production of cortisol, which is a hormone associated with stress.

Studies have shown that hospitals that provide natural daylight in patient rooms result in faster healing. Despite what our teenagers think, we absolutely do need fresh air and daylight!

The Astonishing Power of Lighting on Your Well-being 

Light has an astonishing power to improve your mood and well-being. By choosing the right type of lighting and understanding its effects on us, you can use it to help create a positive and energized environment in your home. Start with small changes to create a healthier and more comfortable environment in your home. If you do it right, you’ll soon feel the positive impacts of the right kind of lighting.

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