Every source of light, from the bright rays of the sun in Dallas, TX, to an alarm clock’s dimmest glow, produces waves that your body recognizes and responds to. We cannot deny the strong relationship between diverse light sources and mood. While we need the presence of light to function, excessive lighting can be disruptive and harmful.
Circadian Rhythm
To understand how indoor lighting affects our mood and productivity, it is important to understand the circadian system. This biological system uses lighting cues to influence body processes by releasing certain chemicals into the brain. We use natural lighting during the day, and as night approaches, we switch to artificial lighting. These things impact how we feel, how well we sleep, and our productivity.
When we are active, we tend to use brighter lights. However, we revert to dim or accent lighting when we are in relaxation mode. These different forms of lighting affect our circadian rhythm in many ways. Ponder the different ways in which indoor lighting can affect your outlook, and then consider our recommendations to harness lighting to maximize mood and productivity.
1. Bright Light for Motivation
If you are working at home, be aware that the lighting level in your workspace could affect the level of your productivity. Studies have shown that under bright lights, we perceive our emotions more intensely, which can affect our ability to make decisions.
We recommend focusing bright lighting straight down or at eye level, as it helps to heighten attention and boost motivation. Through the signal sent to the brain, this process helps promote alertness.
Early in the day, bright light will help you become more proactive and productive, whether you are working on projects or you just want to exercise. This also helps to regulate your circadian rhythm. Dim lights are relaxing, so avoid them when you have an engaging day ahead. This has the potential to lower your productivity.
2. Higher Energy Level
Are you feeling drained during the day? Do you use artificial lighting in your workspace? It may be time to replace your desk lamps with natural light sources. Bright and natural sunlight can significantly impact your physical, psychological, and mental health. When your body is deprived of natural sunlight, your energy level goes down. You may also become deficient in essential nutrients, such as vitamin D. Consequently, your mood changes, you become easily irritable and unmotivated, and your performance greatly decreases.
Consider positioning your desk near the window to gain access to sunlight. Bright light signals the pineal gland, preventing the excess production of melatonin. Melatonin is a chemical responsible for lethargy and drowsiness. Maintain brighter daytime lighting and avoid afternoon energy dips.
3. Heightening Your Emotions
Strong lights can heighten our emotions, whether in a positive or negative manner. For instance, you will notice that you may feel gloomy on a dark and rainy day, while a sunny day brings a sense of optimism and motivation.
Bright light amplifies emotional reactions. We tend to be calmer under dimmer illumination. Task lighting supports focused concentration, which is essential when you are trying to accomplish an important project.
4. Impact on Fatigue and Drowsiness
When you get tired while working, you may find that you start to engage in distractions that will take your mind off work. These include playing games, watching videos on YouTube, or engaging in social media. However, you can boost your mood and work productivity by allowing natural light into your workspace.
Increasing natural light on a tiring workday can increase your motivation. It helps improve your eyesight, elevates your mood, and boosts your energy level. You will be happier and feel motivated to proceed with the pressing tasks that require your attention.
5. Lighting Can Affect Our Appetite
Did you know that lighting has the ability to affect how much you eat, how fast you eat, the type of foods you prefer, and the perception you have about the flavor of food? Dining in spaces with bright light affects how you feel during a meal. You may find that you are more alert. In this case, many people find that they eat faster or eat more. On the other hand, dimly lit eating spaces communicate to the brain that it is time to relax. You may take your time to go through food choices, order multiple courses, and eat for longer than you would in bright light. You may spend more time participating in the dining experience.
It’s important that you achieve the perfect brightness for your dining area. Lighting that can be dimmed and adjusted can allow you to add versatility to this space.
6. Alleviate the Symptoms of Depression
The level of indoor lighting that you’re exposed to affects both short-term and long-term mental health. Natural sunlight not only has natural healing properties to cure vitamin D deficiency but also helps people suffering from depression by alleviating symptoms like a lack of motivation, hopelessness, and despair.
While sunlight is not a complete cure for depression, it is a remedy that can help people with depression improve their mood by influencing their circadian rhythm. It also helps improve our perception of well-being. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is highly prevalent during the winter, which is marked by months of diminishing sunlight.
Focus on getting a significant level of natural light throughout the day by positioning your desk strategically by the window if you work from home. You can also try to complete other activities near a window if possible.
7. Effects on Headaches and Migraines
A major contributor to headaches and migraines in the workplace is harsh office lighting. It leads to discomfort, which negatively affects one’s mood and productivity levels. Migraines are a serious medical condition that can escalate to levels requiring medical attention. If this happens, you will have to miss work. Your absence has a direct impact on your productivity.
If you are susceptible to migraines and headaches, install non-flickering LED lights and overhead fixtures with glare guards. Also, ensure that your workspace is evenly lit to avoid strain on your eyes.
Talk to an Expert about Your Lighting Options
If you are still conflicted about the type of lighting to use for different indoor spaces in your home, consider speaking with a professional about the ways that indoor lighting affects your mood and productivity. Light can create an atmosphere that is relaxed, spacious, exciting, or intimate. It can also negatively affect your well-being if you’re not knowledgeable about the appropriate lighting to use.
Our professionals and electricians at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric will help you make the best decision about your indoor lighting to achieve a positive mood and increased productivity. We have a reliable team of experts who will review your indoor spaces and recommend improvements to achieve a balanced and evenly lit Dallas-Fort Worth home. We offer a broad range of services, including installation, maintenance, and repair for cooling, heating, indoor air quality, plumbing, and electrical systems.
Contact us at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric today for more information.
