Over the years, a number of studies have been done by noted doctors and psychologists evaluating how exposure to different types of light affects the human body. These studies have looked at everything from the effect of light on sleep to whether or not light exposure can alter a person’s mood.
The light emitted from standard fluorescent or incandescent bulbs is not the correct wavelength to affect the health of people who view it. Phosphor-converted LED lights, on the other hand, do have the proper wavelength, meaning that they can be used to influence circadian rhythms or to positively impact a person’s health. Because of the way they are designed, LED lights can be controlled much better than other types of lights. The fact that they can be adjusted makes them the ideal choice for healthcare environments where medical experts are tasked with caring for patients.
Below are four ways that LED lights can positively impact health:
1. Circadian Rhythms Can Be Aligned With The Help Of LED Lights
When people aren’t exposed to enough daylight, it can disrupt their normal circadian rhythm. Exposure to light that has a specific blue-colored wavelength has been shown to limit the amount of melatonin produced by the body. This hormone is responsible for promoting sleep and relaxation. When melatonin levels are lowered, people feel more alert, which can help them be more productive. If melatonin levels are kept low for too long, however, it can keep people from falling asleep. Exposure to the sun naturally suppresses melatonin production. The natural blue wavelength of light emitted by the sun during the middle of the day results in increased feelings of alertness during this time.
Breakthroughs in the technology used to create LED lighting have made it possible to simulate the effect of being exposed to natural light, helping to regulate circadian rhythms as a result. During times when there isn’t enough natural light available, using a special LED light that emits blue wavelengths can help keep circadian rhythms from getting thrown out of whack. Light that is too warm in color and doesn’t have enough blue tones is not effective at limiting melatonin production. By switching from cool blue lighting to warm lighting toward the end of the day, melatonin levels can be controlled, helping to promote better sleeping habits.
Lighting designers can take advantage of this by installing special LED lighting in homes and businesses that shifts color throughout the day. The same lights can be used to emit light with a blue wavelength during the middle of the day and a warmer light as it gets closer to the evening hours.
2. LED Lighting May Be Effective At Treating Headaches
Many people who suffer from headaches are also sensitive to light. This is particularly true for migraine sufferers. Being in a room with a fluorescent light that is flickering or trying to work in an environment that is too dark can trigger headache-related problems in sensitive individuals.
Through effective lighting design and the use of modern LED lights, headache sufferers can enjoy more comfortable lighting in their environment. Because LED lighting can be precisely controlled, it is possible to adjust the light to a level that doesn’t cause sensitivity. This is extremely important for anyone who frequently gets headaches or migraines.
3. The Use Of LED Lights Can Improve Learning And Boost Productivity
In schools, classrooms often are disrupted by fluorescent bulbs that keep flickering or by lighting that is the wrong color or brightness level for the room. When designing educational facilities, focusing on lighting can make a big difference in children’s ability to learn and stay productive. Because LED bulbs stay cool to the touch, they don’t increase heat levels in the buildings where they are installed. This can make it easier to control the temperature inside of large buildings. When used correctly in educational facilities, LED lights can promote better performance from students.
The same thing applies to businesses. Companies that use LED lighting correctly can boost employee performance and increase productivity. Good lighting can also make a big difference in how people perceive companies when they walk into a building. When constructing offices and commercial spaces, focusing on lighting design, WELL building principles, and LEED standards can make a big difference in how workers perform as well as in how they perceive their jobs.
4. LED lights can reduce anxiety levels
People do best when they are surrounded by sunlight. When there is not enough natural light available, problems with mood and behavior are more likely to occur. A lack of exposure to light can cause stress and anxiety levels to rise. It can also result in conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder. Many of these conditions can be treated with light therapy. For instance, people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder can use special lights to control the production of melatonin, leading to relief from their symptoms. In today’s world, it isn’t always possible to spend time outside when the sun is out. One way to get around this problem is through the use of LED lighting. Because today’s LED lights can be used to simulate natural sunlight, they can also be used to control circadian rhythms and regulate mood. When LED lighting is used correctly, it can reduce the effects of anxiety and stress for people who spend a lot of time indoors.
LED technology is more advanced than ever. Today, it is possible to precisely control the color and quality of the light. As a result, natural light can be simulated in indoor environments, resulting in better health and well-being for anyone exposed to the light.