How Lighting Affects Your Mind & Body
The human body’s sleep patterns, much like all animals, revolve around the setting and rising of the sun. However, in today’s modern era, there is lighting in almost every corner of every building affecting your sleep patterns and, in turn, your body and mind.
Let’s look at the different types of lighting and how each affects your physical and mental health!
Blue Light
Contrary to popular belief, sunlight isn’t yellow; it’s blue. Blue light triggers alertness in humans and other animals, stimulating their brains for the day ahead. Blue light stimulates your sense by raising your blood pressure and halting melatonin secretion in your body, which is responsible for helping you fall asleep at night so, if you’re wondering why you get sleepy after sundown, that’s why!
But what if you don’t get sleepy after sundown? The culprit is most likely the blue lights in your home. From phones to TV screens and overhead lights, blue lights make up the majority of sunshine in your house.
For instance, say you’re lying in bed reading the news on your phone. The blue light your phone emits continues to stimulate your mind, negating your body’s natural secretion of serotonin and keeping you awake long after you want to fall asleep. This doesn’t allow you to get enough sleep, negatively affecting your body and mind daily!
How Do You Stop Blue Light From Letting You Sleep?
The answer is simple: Cut off all blue light around an hour before you fall asleep! This is easier said than done. However, there are alternatives.
You can switch your phone to night mode, which gives off a warm light that isn't as stimulating as blue. Additionally, you can install home automation and set the lights in your house on a timer to turn a warmer hue close to bedtime!
Warm Light & Color Position
As you already know, blue light stimulates your mind and body while warm light helps relax it. However, where the position of your lights is in the house plays a factor as well!
Say you like to hang out in your backyard before you go off to slumber. If so, be sure to position your outdoor lighting behind your head and not in front, as light hitting you directly in the face will still cause stimulation.
You can choose to have customized lighting installed throughout your home for correct positioning and prompt dimming to relax your body and mind before you drift off to sleep.
Upgrade Your Lighting With SoCal Electrical & Lighting
When you need superior lighting or electrical services for your home or business in the Coachella Valley, call on SoCal Electrical & Lighting!
Request a free estimate online or give us a call at 760-699-2686 today!