Recently, researchers have discovered that the lighting in your home can have a much greater impact on your health and well-being than originally thought. Better lighting can boost your energy, help you sleep better, and even enhance healing…as if keeping you out of the dark wasn’t enough! These benefits are almost certainly worth the time and effort to invest into lighting that will keep your home looking great, while keeping you and your family feeling their best!
Natural lighting is the best source for healthy lighting in your home. While curtains and blinds provide privacy and can help you get extra sleep on a Saturday morning, they can also block out a lot of the natural light you’d otherwise get from a window. Rearranging a room to better utilize the space can be helpful. Moving a reading chair beside a window or repositioning a desk so you get a good view outside will help the room feel lighter during the day, and you may not even need to turn on the lights. These same principles apply to skylights, which can offer a tremendous amount of light, without the need for curtains or blinds. Aa an alternative to traditional curtains or blinds, consider installing mechanical curtain movers or blinds that are controlled by your smart phone to open and close as daylight comes and goes.
While having light is an important aspect of healthy living, so is the absence of it. Dimmable lights not only look good by creating ambiance in your space, but they can help keep your body’s natural rhythms in check. A home that’s very bright in the evenings or after dark can mean less satisfying sleep. Dimmable lights can also help make waking up an easier proposition. A softer glow is easier on your eyes, and can make the shock of an early-morning wakeup much less intense.
Avoiding over lighting is crucial. In a room without windows, you may feel the need to add a lot of artificial light to compensate. Too much light can cause headache and eye strain, that could lead to increased moodiness and lack of motivation. You only need enough light to comfortably accomplish what you are going to be doing in a space. A great way to accomplish this is by using multiple sources of light. Much like wearing layers in the winter, having two or three lights in a room as opposed to only one lets you control the light based on what you’re doing. A bedroom is a great spot to mix and match light sources, especially those that can dim. A small lamp on a desk or nightstand may be all you need most of the time.
Be considerate when you are planning how you will light your home. Different rooms will have different needs. During the day, make the most of natural lighting. At night, use dimmable lights to keep your body on a natural cycle. Don’t be afraid to experiment with lamps and different strength lightbulbs to help make each space more comfortable. Keeping your home lit properly could mean more relaxation in the future!