The Right Light
Oct 23rd, 2008 by Lauri
As we all are aware, today, anything that is electrical is subject to rapid change. Whether information technology, home appliances, or CFL and LED upgrades, it is difficult to stay abreast of the latest advances.
Terry McGowan, who spoke at the IRN national conference last week and who is the Director of Engineering for the American Lighting Association as well as the former manager of GE’s Lighting Institute and Worldwide Lighting Applications Group, has worked on studies that determine how lighting affects our health.
His group’s findings revealed that melatonin is a great disease fighter and its production in our bodies peaks at 3 AM. He went on to explain that if we wake late night, it is best to avoid any “blue” light, which the receptor in our eye is sensitive to so that melatonin blood levels are not suppressed (exposure to orange and red lights are okay). That means that we should not open the fridge, with its bright white (blue) light, to get a drink in the middle of the night, nor sit at our computer if we can’t sleep. Who knew?
Ideally, we humans need bright daylight for vitamin D production (or, as people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) know, use interior lighting to supplement sunlight); then, as the day wears on, we’re better off if we are exposed to only low, subdued lighting in the evening and, finally, dark nights for good health.
Therefore, as the days get shorter and we prepare to turn our clocks back, let’s all resolve to spend some time in the sun, daily, and also shut off any unnecessary lights at night. And, sleep really well.