Artificial lighting is a key part of our daily lives, often replacing natural daylight. This shift can disrupt our circadian rhythms, which are the body’s natural 24-hour cycles regulated by the brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN helps synchronize our internal clock with the day-night cycle, mainly influenced by blue light at the 480nm wavelength. Disruption of this rhythm can lead to health issues like sleep disturbances, mood disorders, metabolic problems, and cardiovascular diseases.
Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash
One major concern is the excessive exposure to blue light from electronic devices and LED lights. Evening exposure to this light suppresses melatonin production, a hormone essential for sleep regulation. Irregular lighting and high-intensity artificial light can also cause physiological imbalances, increasing eye strain and visual fatigue, which negatively impact productivity and overall well-being.
Good light is the right light at the right time. Artificial lighting with natural light patterns supports a healthier circadian rhythm. Implementing good light involves using high colour temperature, blue-rich light in the morning to boost alertness and warm, melatonin-friendly light in the evening to encourage relaxation and better sleep. Dynamic lighting systems can simulate natural light changes throughout the day, helping maintain a balanced internal clock.
To measure the effectiveness of your good light setups you can use advanced tools like the UPRtek MK350S Premium spectrometer. This device can assess key parameters such as melanopic irradiance, melanopic lux, and the melanopic ratio. These measurements help evaluate how well a lighting environment can stimulate or suppress melatonin production, aligning with natural circadian rhythms. By testing these parameters, individuals can scientifically select lighting that meets good light standards, optimizing their light environment for health and productivity.
Comments