The Role of Natural Light in Human Society
This is part 1 of a 3-part series: “A Brief Introduction to Human Centric Lighting”.
Part 1: The Role of Natural Light in Human Society
Part 2: Human Centric Lighting — A Breakthrough Concept and Technology
Part 3 — The Science Behind Human Centric Lighting (and recent studies as of 2019)
Natural Light and Human Function
Before the invention of artificial light, we had sunlight, moonlight, and fire. Humans evolved around these three sources of light, relying on them not only for sight but also as regulators of our circadian rhythm and biological cycle.
The impact of light on human body function is a Nobel Prize-winning concept, intensively researched over the past four decades by scientists across the world. The wavelengths and intensity of light affect our hormonal production, quality of sleep, and numerous other biological functions regulated by our internal circadian rhythm.
Artificial Light and Modern Society
In today’s society, many of us spend the majority of our time under artificial lighting. At home, in the office, in the classroom, shopping in retail stores — the list goes on. How does this affect us as individuals? What is the larger impact on society?
It is well known that being at your computer, on your phone, or watching television late at night can keep you up — the blue light emitted from these devices stimulates us and makes it difficult to sleep. Similar blue wavelengths are emitted from most office lighting, which we may spend a large portion of our day under.
The opposite is also prevalent. When we try to relax, the warm color of a table lamp or a fireplace can set a calming mood, ideal for reading a book or enjoying time with family. “Mood lighting”, as it may be called, is a color and dimness not far from the sunset or a campfire. It is soothing, providing a feeling of comfort and relief.
The Issue With Most Modern Lighting Environments
In some cases, we have the ability to manipulate our lighting environment to fit our needs. But in others, we have to deal with what we are given, at work and outside of our home. When we spend long hours under bright, unchanging artificial light in the office, that can affect our quality of sleep, and in turn, affect our performance the following day. The light has a lingering effect on our body, and we are not as productive, energetic, or happy as we could be under a natural light cycle.
Many in the scientific community have been aware of this issue with modern artificial lighting environments. In recent years, a solution has been introduced — Circadian Lighting, or Biodynamic Lighting. In the lighting industry, this technology is known as “Human Centric Lighting”.
We’ll discuss Human Centric Lighting technology in Part 2, and the science and research behind it in Part 3.
Want to know more?
Visit our Human Centric Lighting webpage, or reach out to me directly at eric@controlledlightingcorp.com.
Thank you for reading!
