Lighting does more than illuminate the way we see. It has the ability to impact our emotional state, elevate our mood, and promote healthy sleep schedules. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forcing us to spend more time indoors, our mental health and wellbeing take an important precedence. In this article, we explore different ways in which lighting can be used to reduce stress and promote mental health in the home.
The Science behind Lighting
Before delving into lighting applications, it’s crucial to understand the science behind how light affects us. Humans’ circadian rhythms, which control our sleep-wake cycles and alertness level, rely on the changes in natural light throughout the day. Light affects our mood and emotions by influencing the brain’s production of serotonin and melatonin, two hormones that regulate sleep, mood, and anxiety levels. As a result, proper lighting plays an essential role in supporting a healthy mind and body balance.
Implementing Natural Lighting
Natural light is an excellent way of improving your mental health and mood. When spending time outside, exposure to natural light can boost your moods as it causes a release of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, producing feelings of happiness and well-being.
To acquire adequate daylight indoors, try letting in natural light by opening shades, curtains, and blinds. Maximizing natural light in spaces where you spend most of your day can have a significant impact on improving your mood.
Light Therapy
For people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), light therapy can be an incredibly useful way to increase serotonin levels in the brain during months with less daylight. In light therapy, high-intensity lights are used to mimic natural daylight, helping to eliminate symptoms of SAD.
The Role of Color Temperature
Homeowners can use different color temperatures of light, measured in degrees of kelvin (K), to adjust light’s emotional tone and ambiance in a room. Cooler color temperatures have a higher concentration of blue light and create an energized, calming, or neutral ambiance, depending on the level of warmth. Warmer color temperatures produce the opposite effect, creating a more relaxed and cozy atmosphere.
Using a combination of cooler and warmer bulbs in spaces where you spend time, such as a living room, can increase comfort and enhance your overall experience.
Customizable Light Settings
Smart lighting can be used to create various moods by changing the color and intensity of light. This advanced technology lets you customize your lights to match your personal preferences and daily rhythms, including the ability to schedule the lights according to time and light levels.
Through smart lighting, you can create a setup which automatically turns on at dawn and the intensity of the lighting increases gradually to simulate the sunrise, which is helpful to wake up in a natural way.
Dimming the Lights
Another powerful way to regulate the mood of a room is by installing dimming systems to adjust the amount of light in the room. For instance, during dinner, dimming the lights can create a romantic ambiance. In contrast, a brighter light setting can give you the energy boost you need to stay focused on your tasks.
In summary, there are various ways that lighting can be used to reduce stress and support mental health in the home. From utilizing natural light indoors to customizing light settings with smart technology, homeowners can improve the ambiance and support their overall well-being. Whether to liaise with an interior designer or make changes yourself, don’t underestimate the impact of adequately considering your lighting options.