Did you know the lighting in your home can affect your emotional wellbeing? There aren’t many factors that can affect your mood, health, and comfort in your home. There’s a reason why ‘mood lighting’ was created!
A well-lit home is a happy home! Instead of focusing on finding the perfect sofa or other furniture piece for your home, consider taking time to find the right lighting options to improve your overall health.
Rely on natural light
There’s nothing better than natural light! Humans need natural light to thrive. It’s vital to keeping our bodies and mind healthy. Sunlight can increase the amount of serotonin, a mood-lifting chemical, our brain produces, which makes us feel happier. Natural light also helps our bodies adjust to our natural circadian rhythms so we can stay alert during the day and sleep at night. Effectively harness the natural light from your home by keeping your windows clean and using window treatments that lets the right amount of light in. Lighter-weight fabrics, like cotton or linen, are great options for filtering the light without making the room appear too cold.
Incorporate dimmer functions
While bright light can help you focus, incorporating dimmable lights is a smart way to cue your body for relaxation. Want to sleep better at night? Install dimmer switches in your living room and bedroom. Dimmer switches allow you to soften the harsh and bright lights that can interrupt your sleep. The pineal gland in your brain secretes melatonin when it’s dark to encourage sleep and regulate your body’s sleep-wake cycle. Lowering the lights can create a more calming mood and prime your brain and body to wind down and relax.
Complement with task lighting
Task lighting focuses light to improve the contrast between the surrounding environment and the object you’re looking at. Task lighting helps you see what you’re doing while preventing eye strain and headaches. Add a small lamp, preferably one that swivels or has an arm, in areas where you need a little extra light. Some good spots to place task lighting include desktops, reading areas, vanity, work spaces, bedside tables, and even food preparation surfaces.
Layer with full-spectrum lights
Artificial light isn’t totally bad. Instead of using fluorescent lights or long exposures to LED lights, opt for full-spectrum lighting. Full-spectrum light closely resembles sunlight, making it a great alternative to natural light. Some benefits of using full-spectrum lights are similar to natural light: improved color perception, visual clarity, mood, productivity, and mental awareness. Layering full-spectrum lighting with natural and task lighting creates a healthy environment in your home.
Reduce blue light
Have you ever had trouble falling asleep at night after turning off your phone? It’s not you; its your phone! The blue light that shines from digital screens like laptops, tablets, phones, and television screens can interfere with your sleep. This blue light normally makes people feel more energetic. This is fine during the day but can be an issue at night. The best way to reduce blue light’s effects is to either keep these screens out of your bedroom or at least stop using them at least a half hour before bedtime.
The power of light is underappreciated. With the right lighting, you can boost your productivity and even improve your sleep. Taking the time to create a lighting plan that works in your home is well worth the effort!