The Future of Lighting is Mental Health
The world of lighting is always changing – we are constantly seeing new fixture technology, new processes, and new controls.
Keeping up with what is new and what’s next is one of my favourite parts about being an EECOL Lighting Specialist.
When we think about the future of lighting, there is no doubt we will continue to see a drive toward lowering energy consumption via automation and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
What you may not know is that LED (light emitting diodes) technology – along with the right digital controls – can also create a lighting design that improves workplace productivity, mood, and even mental health.
This connection between lighting and mental health is what many believe will drive lighting innovation for years to come.
Current Research on Lighting and Health
One way I keep up to date about lighting innovations is through my volunteer committee role on the Edmonton chapter of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES). With members that include engineers, lighting designers, scientists, manufacturers and more, the IES establishes and shares scientifically based lighting recommendations.
We’ve seen many presentations at the IES about circadian rhythms – the 24-hour cycles that make up our internal clock. These cycles take cues from our environment and are constantly running in the background without us even being aware of them.
One of the most powerful of the circadian rhythms is the sleep-wake cycle, which is heavily influenced by sunlight and darkness. When we are exposed to darkness, our brain produces melatonin – the hormone that helps us sleep. Likewise, exposure to sunlight suppresses melatonin production, making us more alert.
Unfortunately, it is estimated that humans spend about 90% of their time indoors. This means that far too often; we find ourselves working inside environments where we receive less light during the day and too much light during the night. Then there’s Canada in the winter – where we sometimes do not see daylight at all.
Disruptions to our circadian rhythms – for example, shift work that changes the time you’re asleep and awake – are linked to many negative health impacts including poor sleep quality, depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and even cancer.
As we dive deeper into the connection between lighting and our health, however, we also see the positive effects lighting can have on our mood, productivity, and overall well-being.
How Lighting Can Improve Mood and Workplace Productivity
While research warns about the dangers of poor lighting, it also shows us how daylight has a positive impact on our mood and our ability to sleep well.
For example, numerous studies by the Lighting Research Centre (LRC) show a strong connection between lighting and alertness and better workplace productivity when we use lighting that supports our circadian rhythm. Likewise, many studies examine how good lighting can positively affect student performance in schools. One study even showed how blue-enriched white light can support faster cognitive processing speed and better concentration in students.
Knowing that we can control lighting to support better functionality challenges us to think about our designs and what types of products we can use to support our health.
Applying what we know about the benefits of blue-toned light on alertness, we can see the advantages of using LED technology in new ways. LED isn’t just energy-efficient – it can help support our natural circadian rhythms.
One article that stood out described this best: “No other light source does a better job mimicking the sun’s broad colour spectrum than the LED.” In other words, when we want to mimic the natural sunlight that promotes alertness, LED is where we turn.
We can use the Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) of LED lights to greatly impact the human body: warmer, yellow-toned LED lights can welcome and relax us while cooler, blue-tone lights can help us feel more alert, focused, and productive. All of this can be used to support our natural circadian rhythms.
Many manufacturers, like Cooper, already offer products like Colour Selectable Lighting to help increase alertness during the workday by using cooler-toned lights. Of course, products like this go hand in hand with field-selectable and smart technology, which allows us to control everything from the lumens to the colour temperature of lights in our spaces. We can even create customizations based on an individual’s preference or need (such as to help address a visual impairment).
The products and technology that support lighting and health are not out of our reach – they are available right now.
The Future of Lighting is Health-Centric
If we understand the powerful impact that lighting has on our health, and we can access lighting products that can support our natural circadian rhythms – then we can start designing lighting systems that go beyond the basic function of illumination.
This health-focused approach to lighting design that prioritizes the well-being and health of individuals is called Human-Centric Lighting (HCL).
This type of design considers the natural variation of light throughout the day and recognizes the crucial role light plays in regulating our circadian rhythm, which as we’ve mentioned above, affects our health, energy levels, and overall mental well-being.
How Human-Centric Lighting Can Help
There is no doubt that the science is there to support the connection between lighting and health. Here is a summary of the key points to consider when approaching this type of design with a client:
Circadian Rhythm Regulation: As we have noted, our bodies are naturally tuned to the variations of natural light, with bright, blue-enriched light in the morning and warmer, dimmer light in the evening. By mimicking these lighting conditions in indoor environments, human-centric lighting can help regulate our circadian rhythm, promoting better sleep quality and overall mental health.
Mood Enhancement: Proper lighting can positively influence mood and emotions. Brighter light with cooler colour temperatures can increase alertness, focus, and productivity, making it ideal for morning and midday hours. In contrast, warmer light with lower colour temperatures promotes relaxation and can be beneficial during the afternoon and evening, helping individuals wind down and reduce stress levels.
Productivity and Alertness: Studies show lighting has a direct impact on cognitive performance and alertness. Exposure to bright, blue-enriched light during working hours can enhance productivity, attention, and concentration. It helps suppress melatonin production, the hormone that regulates sleep, keeping individuals more awake and engaged.
Biophilic Design: Biophilic design attempts increase an occupant’s connection to nature. Integrating natural elements into the workplace environment, such as daylight and views of nature, can have a positive impact on mental well-being and productivity. Human-centric lighting can support biophilic design by simulating natural daylight.
Individual Customization: In an ideal world, human-centric lighting systems would be personalized to cater to individual preferences and needs. Some individuals may require brighter or warmer light based on their specific tasks, visual impairments, or personal preferences. Customizable lighting systems would allow individuals to adjust their
Shift Work and Flexible Schedules: We know the negative impacts that shift work can have on circadian rhythms and our health. Human-centric lighting could help workers maintain proper light exposure, especially during night shifts. It could mitigate the negative impact of artificial light on circadian rhythms, promoting better overall well-being and work performance.
Implementing human-centric lighting requires a holistic approach that combines appropriate lighting fixtures, control systems, and an understanding of individual needs. By prioritizing the well-being of individuals and applying our knowledge about lighting and our circadian rhythms, we can create healthier, more stimulating, and more productive work environments as well as more inviting and relaxing home environments.
Wakati ujao wa Taa ni Afya ya Akili Ulimwengu wa taa unabadilika kila wakati <unk> tunaona teknolojia mpya ya taa, michakato mpya, na udhibiti mpya. Kuendelea na nini ni mpya na nini <unk> ni ijayo ni moja ya sehemu yangu favorite kuhusu kuwa EECOL Lighting Specialist. Kwa hivyo, wakati wa kutafakari juu ya siku zijazo za taa, hakuna shaka kwamba tutaendelea kuona mwendo wa kupunguza matumizi ya nishati kupitia automatisering na diodes zinazotoa mwanga (LEDs). "Kile ambacho huenda usijue ni kwamba teknolojia ya LED (light emitting diode) pamoja na udhibiti sahihi wa dijiti inaweza pia kuunda muundo wa taa ambao unaboresha uzalishaji wa mahali pa kazi, hali ya moyo, na hata afya ya akili.""" "Uhusiano kati ya mwanga na afya ya akili ni nini wengi wanaamini itasababisha uvumbuzi wa taa kwa miaka ijayo. """ Utafiti wa sasa juu ya taa na afya Njia moja ninayoendelea na habari juu ya uvumbuzi wa taa ni kupitia jukumu langu la kamati ya kujitolea kwenye sura ya Edmonton ya Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES). Pamoja na wanachama ambao ni pamoja na wahandisi, wabunifu wa taa, wanasayansi, wazalishaji na zaidi, IES huanzisha na kushiriki mapendekezo ya taa ya kisayansi. Katika kipindi cha miaka miwili iliyopita, tumeona maonyesho mengi kwenye IES kuhusu mzunguko wa circadian - mzunguko wa saa 24 ambao huunda saa yetu ya ndani. Mzunguko huu huchukua ishara kutoka kwa mazingira yetu na huendeshwa daima nyuma bila hata sisi kuwa na ufahamu wao. Mzunguko wa circadian ni mzunguko wa usingizi na kuamka ambao huathiriwa sana na mwangaza wa jua na giza. Tunapokuwa gizani, ubongo wetu hutokeza melatonini - homoni inayotusaidia kulala. Vivyo hivyo, kuathiriwa na jua huzuia utengenezaji wa melatonini, na hivyo kutufanya tuwe macho zaidi. Inakadiriwa kwamba watu hutumia karibu 90% ya wakati wao ndani ya nyumba. Hii inamaanisha kwamba mara nyingi sana, tunapata sisi wenyewe kufanya kazi ndani ya mazingira ambapo tunapokea mwanga mdogo wakati wa mchana na mwanga mwingi wakati wa usiku. Kisha kuna Kanada wakati wa majira ya baridi kali ambapo nyakati nyingine hatuoni mwanga wa mchana hata kidogo. Uharibifu wa mzunguko wa circadian, kwa mfano, kazi ya zamu ambayo hubadilisha wakati wa kulala na kuamka, inahusiana na athari nyingi mbaya za afya ikiwa ni pamoja na ubora duni wa usingizi, unyogovu, ugonjwa wa msimu wa msimu (SAD) na hata kansa. Hata hivyo, tunapochunguza zaidi uhusiano kati ya taa na afya yetu, tunaona pia athari nzuri ambazo taa zinaweza kuwa nazo kwa hali yetu ya moyo, uzalishaji, na hali yetu ya jumla ya afya. Jinsi Taa Inavyoweza Kuboresha Hali ya Moyo na Uzalishaji wa Kazi: Wakati utafiti unaonya juu ya hatari za taa mbaya, pia inatuonyesha jinsi mwanga wa mchana una athari nzuri kwa hali yetu ya akili na uwezo wetu wa kulala vizuri. Kwa mfano, utafiti wa Lighting Research Centre (LRC) unaonyesha uhusiano mkubwa kati ya mwangaza na tahadhari na uzalishaji bora wa mahali pa kazi wakati tunatumia mwangaza unaounga mkono rhythm yetu ya circadian. Vivyo hivyo, masomo mengi huchunguza jinsi taa nzuri inavyoweza kuathiri vizuri utendaji wa wanafunzi shuleni. Utafiti mmoja hata ulionyesha jinsi nuru nyeupe iliyotajwa na bluu inaweza kusaidia kasi ya usindikaji wa utambuzi na umakini bora kwa wanafunzi. Kujua kwamba tunaweza kudhibiti taa ili kusaidia utendaji bora hutulazimisha kufikiria miundo yetu na aina gani ya bidhaa ambazo tunaweza kutumia kusaidia afya yetu. Kwa kutumia kile tunachojua juu ya faida za mwanga wa rangi ya bluu juu ya tahadhari, tunaweza kuona faida za kutumia teknolojia ya LED kwa njia mpya. LED si tu nishati-efficient <unk> inaweza kusaidia kusaidia rhythms yetu ya asili circadian. "Mfano wa hii ni ""No source of light does a better job mimicking the sun's broad color spectrum than the LED"" - yaani, wakati tunataka kuiga mwangaza wa jua unaoendeleza tahadhari, ni mahali tunapoelekea." Kwa mfano, joto la rangi ya taa ya LED inaweza kuathiri mwili wa binadamu, na taa za rangi ya rangi ya manjano zinaweza kutupatia furaha na kutupumzisha, wakati taa za rangi ya bluu zinaweza kutusaidia kuwa macho zaidi, kuzingatia na kuzalisha. Vitu hivyo vinaweza kutusaidia kudumisha utaratibu wetu wa kawaida wa maisha. Watengenezaji wengi, kama vile Cooper, tayari hutoa bidhaa kama vile taa za rangi za kuchagua kusaidia kuongeza tahadhari wakati wa siku ya kazi kwa kutumia taa za rangi baridi. Kwa kweli, bidhaa kama hii huenda mkono kwa mkono na teknolojia ya kuchagua uwanja na smart, ambayo inaruhusu sisi kudhibiti kila kitu kutoka lumens kwa joto rangi ya taa katika nafasi zetu. Tunaweza hata kuunda customizations kulingana na upendeleo wa mtu binafsi au haja (kama vile kusaidia kushughulikia ulemavu wa kuona). Bidhaa na teknolojia ambayo inasaidia taa na afya si nje ya kufikia yetu <unk> wao ni inapatikana sasa hivi. Wakati ujao wa taa ni afya-centric: Kama tunaelewa athari kubwa kwamba taa ina juu ya afya yetu, na tunaweza kupata bidhaa taa ambayo inaweza kusaidia rhythms yetu ya asili circadian, basi tunaweza kuanza kubuni mifumo ya taa ambayo kwenda zaidi ya kazi ya msingi ya taa. Njia hii ya afya-kuzingatia kwa kubuni taa ambayo inatoa kipaumbele kwa ustawi na afya ya watu huitwa Mwangaza wa Kibinadamu (HCL). Aina hii ya muundo inachukua tofauti ya asili ya mwanga wakati wa siku na inatambua jukumu muhimu la mwanga katika kudhibiti rhythm yetu ya circadian, ambayo kama tulivyotajwa hapo juu, huathiri afya yetu, viwango vya nishati, na ustawi wa jumla wa akili. Jinsi Mwangaza wa Kibinadamu Unavyoweza Kusaidia Hakuna shaka kwamba sayansi ipo ili kuunga mkono uhusiano kati ya mwangaza na afya. "Hii ni muhtasari wa mambo muhimu ya kuzingatia wakati wa kukaribia aina hii ya muundo na mteja: ""Utaratibu wa Rhythm ya Circadian"" - kama tulivyoona, miili yetu ni asili ya kubadilika kwa mwanga wa asili, na mwanga mkali, wa bluu, asubuhi na joto, mwanga wa jioni." Kwa kuiga hali hizi za taa katika mazingira ya ndani, taa ya binadamu inaweza kusaidia kudhibiti rhythm yetu ya circadian, kukuza ubora bora wa usingizi na afya ya akili kwa ujumla. Kuongeza hali ya moyo: Taa sahihi yaweza kuathiri vizuri hali ya moyo na hisia. Nuru nyangavu na joto la rangi baridi inaweza kuongeza tahadhari, umakini, na uzalishaji, na kuifanya iwe bora kwa saa za asubuhi na adhuhuri. Kwa upande mwingine, mwanga wa joto na joto la rangi ya chini huendeleza kupumzika na inaweza kuwa na faida wakati wa alasiri na jioni, kusaidia watu kupumzika na kupunguza viwango vya mkazo. Ufanisi na Uwezo wa Utafiti: Utafiti unaonyesha kuwa mwangaza una athari ya moja kwa moja kwa utendaji wa utambuzi na ujanja. Kuangazwa kwa nuru nyangavu, yenye rangi ya bluu wakati wa saa za kazi kunaweza kuboresha uzalishaji, uangalifu, na kukaza fikira. Inasaidia kuzuia uzalishaji wa melatonini, homoni inayodhibiti usingizi, na kuwafanya watu wawe macho na wenye bidii. Biophilic Design: Biophilic kubuni majaribio kuongeza uhusiano wa mpangaji na asili. Kuunganisha mambo ya asili katika mazingira ya kazi, kama vile mwanga wa mchana na maoni ya asili, inaweza kuwa na athari nzuri kwa ustawi wa akili na uzalishaji. Taa ya binadamu-kituo inaweza kusaidia kubuni biophilic kwa kuiga mwanga wa mchana wa asili. Katika ulimwengu bora, mifumo ya taa ya binadamu-centric ingekuwa binafsi ili kukidhi upendeleo wa mtu binafsi na mahitaji. Watu fulani huenda wakahitaji nuru yenye kung'aa au yenye joto zaidi kulingana na kazi zao hususa, ulemavu wa kuona, au mapendezi yao ya kibinafsi. Mfumo wa taa unaoweza kubadilishwa kwa mtu binafsi unaweza kuwezesha watu kurekebisha kazi yao ya zamu na ratiba za kubadilika: Tunajua athari mbaya ambazo kazi ya zamu inaweza kuwa na juu ya rhythms ya circadian na afya yetu. Taa inayolenga binadamu inaweza kuwasaidia wafanyakazi kudumisha mwangaza unaofaa, hasa wakati wa zamu za usiku. Inaweza kupunguza athari mbaya ya mwanga bandia kwenye rhythms circadian, kukuza ustawi bora wa jumla na utendaji wa kazi. Utekelezaji wa taa ya binadamu-kituo inahitaji mbinu ya jumla ambayo inachanganya vifaa vya taa sahihi, mifumo ya kudhibiti, na uelewa wa mahitaji ya mtu binafsi. Kwa kuweka kipaumbele ustawi wa watu na kutumia maarifa yetu kuhusu taa na mizunguko yetu ya circadian, tunaweza kuunda mazingira ya kazi yenye afya zaidi, yenye kuchochea zaidi, na yenye uzalishaji zaidi, na pia mazingira ya nyumbani yenye kuvutia na ya kupumzika zaidi.