Color Tuning VS. True Circadian Lighting for Improved Health
What if many of the things that ail us could be addressed by something as simple as proper exposure to natural light? Research findings over the past decade have granted new understanding about how our physical health and performance is linked to the sun and our natural sleep/wake cycle.
Circadian Lighting for Senior Living and Elderly Care
Caring for older adults in senior living or memory care facilities presents unique challenges—especially related to disrupted sleep-wake cycles. Many residents, particularly those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, spend most or all of their time indoors and away from natural light cues. Unfortunately, traditional electric lighting does not provide the critical sky-blue light signals required to maintain healthy circadian rhythms—the biological clock that governs sleep, alertness, mood, and metabolism.
Why You Should Care About Human-Centric (HCL) Lighting
Indoor Lighting technology is at a watershed moment. In the past homeowners and business owners focused on brightness and energy efficiency, but these days the right lighting can do so much more, including supporting the human circadian rhythm and health.
Human-centric lighting, also called circadian, circadian-effective lighting, or melanopic lighting describes any advanced lighting solutions that synchronize with how the body utilizes the natural light cycle to stay healthy and productive. Where does traditional lighting fall short, and how much of a difference can human-centric lighting truly make in a world that spends more time indoors than ever before?
Bridging The Gap Between Lighting Design & Research
Lighting designers have a keen eye for conceptualizing how light will impact a space, including evaluating optimal lighting placement, understanding color quality, and the impact of color temperature on materials. Visual appeal and visual comfort are usually top priorities for lighting designers, but is it time for them to also consider the health implications of lighting?
Bring the Sunlight Indoors with Circadian Design
You may already know about the critical role that circadian rhythm plays in our health and performance, and how it takes its cues from the sun. You may already understand that our built environments insulate us from these cues, compromising our biological needs. Have you considered implementing lighting solutions that maintain our natural circadian clocks?
In his recent talk at CHPC Housing Innovation Lab Basements, Robert Soler, VP of Biological Technology & Research at BIOS Lighting, describes how builders can design indoor environments that support our circadian system rather than compromise it. Read on to get the key takeaways!
How to Choose Quality Over Quantity of Light
Quality has not always been a priority when choosing lighting. Most lights are designed to illuminate your environment so you can see where you are and what you’re doing — it seems like a simple job. However, these lights come with certain hazards that interfere with our health and, in turn, many aspects of our lives.
The Biology Behind Productivity: Why Lighting Plays A Critical Office Role
Renovating or moving your office? Careful consideration of lighting can greatly impact the overall health and happiness of employees. When you think of an office setup, you typically imagine a workplace equipped with standard chairs, desks, and cubicles. However, in recent years, the introduction of standing desks and adjustable workstations has made a significant transformation in the office environment. With sitting no longer being the sole option, standing desks – used as a ‘healthier’ option and opportunity to break out of your chair without interrupting workflow – are even becoming a perk highlighted in job listings.