Whether a light bulb is red, blue or white, it does much more than just light up a room! Let’s take a look at some of the psychological and physical effects of home lighting – whether smart or not!
Effects of natural light
First, it’s important to properly understand the effects that natural light has on our body. Ready for a little crash course? Let’s get started! Alexandre Sasseville, a neurobiology researcher, explains that sunlight plays a regulatory role. Our biological clock uses natural light to synchronize and tune into daily rhythms. In scientific jargon, this is called the circadian cycle.
Sunlight is made up of visible lights that can be seen by the eye, such as purple, indigo, red, green, yellow, orange and blue.
Speaking of blue light, did you know that it acts as a trigger for our system? It stimulates awakening, encouraging us to get out of bed. It also helps in the production of serotonin (the neurotransmitter of happiness) in our body. So, if you want to fill up on vitamins and happiness, it’s best to go for a walk early in the morning or at lunchtime!
Blue light is strongest when the sun is at its highest point. In the early afternoon, natural light slowly becomes reddish. This may seem like a small thing, but it's useful to know when choosing your home lighting.
Different lighting in each room!
According to Alexandre Sasseville, the key to successful lighting is balance and moderation, like everything else in life. Proper lighting, at the right time and in the right room are the things to keep in mind!
Let’s take a tour of a smart home to see things more clearly. The kitchen and the office are two rooms that need dynamic, invigorating lighting that suits working and productivity. Alexandre Sasseville suggests using cool white lighting that has a strong concentration of blue light. In addition to playing the role of a feel-good neurotransmitter, blue light increases our heart rate, which in turn influences our productivity level and ability to concentrate. If you like thinking outside the box, you can also choose lighting with a hint of green or violet. These two colours have the same properties as blue light, but their effects are less intense.
Tip: To get the full benefits of blue light, you need to concentrate your exposure to it between 9 am and 1 pm.
For the bedroom and living room, opt for ambient lighting in warm white or in shades of red and orange – perfect for rest or relaxation. This kind of lighting stimulates the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Alexandre Sasseville even suggests having an alarm clock with red lighting – a little trick for those who have trouble falling asleep.
Tip: One hour before bedtime, limit your exposure to blue light by activating Night Mode on your cell phone, to avoid stimulating your brain unnecessarily.
Create a harmonious environment with Hilo
To customize your lighting and get the most out of it, consider the Hilo smart home service. Among other things, it lets you transform your smart bulb (LED A19) into a unique product, adapted to your daily life. Easy to use, it allows you to change the intensity and colour of your bulb, even remotely! Plus, everything can be programmed in advance. You can change the ambience based on your needs or your mood, and add a little charm to your decor, without consuming too much energy.
