During the course of the last few centuries,
Humans have evolved to stay up after dusk and spend increasing amounts of time in the dark,
But our brains haven't quite kept up.
Recent studies have shown that light has the power to impact our neurochemistry in various ways and that adapting the light in your habitat can lead to better mental fitness.
Let's find out how.
We've mentioned circadian rhythms before,
But in case you're not familiar,
The best way to describe them is as our internal clock.
Our brain can tell when we're exposed to light,
Which helps determine what mood we're in,
While also regulating body temperature and preparing the body for either alertness or sleep.
Seeing bright light at night and darkness during the day can mess with our circadian rhythms and affect the quality of our sleep.
Experts suggest that we try to adapt lighting during the course of the day to mimic nature and aid our natural circadian cycles.
Bright light is suitable for daytime hours,
While softer,
Dimmer lights are a better choice during the night.
Similarly,
Colder tones like green and blue light have a stimulating effect on the mind,
While warmer tones like orange and red enhance the feeling of relaxation.
Blue light has also been found to decrease the amount of sleep hormone melatonin,
Which means blue light works best for areas where we need to focus.
Changing the light in our living spaces might seem like a small change,
But small changes add up.
Try to make better choices when shopping for lighting in the future.
If you've been eyeing a salt lamp for a while,
You can now buy one with the confidence of knowing the benefits of soft and warm lights before bedtime.
Consider what parts of your home you have some design control over and what kind of light is present inside them.
By adding some simple mood lighting,
You might find you can improve your focus,
Relaxation and overall mood.
