A rainy day is enough to make one realize how lighting can impact our mood and overall mental health. Natural light stimulates the brain, elevates your mood, helps with alertness and regulates your body. Your choice for artificial light also affects your mood and mental health. When planning your next lighting, there are several things to consider. 

Color of Bulb Choice

There are two main choices when it comes to bulb color - bright white and warm white. Both have situations for which they are best suited. Bright white lights may be enjoyed in the kitchen, office or other areas where you want to promote a more alert state of mind. Having well-lit areas for working is important so that you can focus on the task at hand. If you enjoy bright white lights, consider using them during the day or other times when you want to remain alert. Bulbs high in blue light may affect your sleep patterns negatively. so do your research before utilizing blue light bulbs in your home. 

Warm, yellow bulbs are more calming and promote a sense of peacefulness. Warm lights are great in areas where you will be winding down or want to relax, like the bedroom or living room. Warm lighting is helpful in promoting feelings of happiness, hope, energy and optimism. 

LED Colored Lights

In addition to the traditional bulbs, colored lighting has become ubiquitous and can be found in bulbs, strip lighting or spot lighting. If you enjoy colored lights, this is a great option to promote specific moods. The colors available span the rainbow, and many LED lights have the option for you to select from several choices. 

Blue lights tend to be calming, offering a sense of peace and serenity. Intense blue lights may affect sleep, however, so be careful where and how frequently you utilize blue lights. Red lights give an energy boost and promote appetite and can feel warm and friendly. Yellow lights increase mental stimulation and promote positive thinking. Green lights promote a sense of harmony and peace and are easy on the eyes. Purple lights stimulate creativity and problem solving and eases stress. 

Choosing which colors you enjoy could be a fun process of trial and error. Try out new colors and take note of how it makes you feel. Everyone may have different reactions to different colors, so go with your gut and stick to colors that make you feel good and relaxed. 

Fixture Choices

Fixture choice is also important when considering your lighting arrangements. For a more relaxed atmosphere, consider utilizing table or side lamps instead of an overhead light. Consider how you will use each room and place task lighting to accommodate. If you are lighting a living room, for example, several lamps are a great choice. To add lighting for specific tasks, such as reading or knitting, consider a lamp with a swing arm or a floor lamp where you may want to work on your task. 

Light Therapy

Light therapy has become a hot topic recently. We will touch on this in a later blog in more depth, but outside of a specific therapy path, there are special light bulbs you can purchase if you struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a type of depression that many people experience when the seasons change and there is less daylight available. In the fall and winter months, you may feel a bit blue due to lack of natural light. There are bulbs, called spectrum light bulbs, that mimic the sun's light. When utilized, they claim to help with the symptoms of SAD. 

Lighting is a personal preference, we recommend you get acquainted with the different styles of bulbs and lights available and see what makes you feel best. For lighting suggestions, give us a call today!