The Impact of Lighting on Human Health and Psychological Healing
, by Joey Peng, 2 min reading time
What effects does lighting design have on health and psychological healing? The most immediate concern is visual health. Proper lighting design is crucial. For instance, using soft, uniform lighting with a color temperature of around 4000K and an illuminance of 300-500 lux in reading areas can reduce eye fatigue and dryness, helping to prevent myopia and other vision problems. In contrast, poor-quality or inappropriate lighting—such as overly bright lights with significant flicker—can increase visual strain, potentially leading to long-term vision decline.
Beyond simply coordinating the overall space, lighting design primarily serves human physiological rhythms. The brightness and color temperature of light can mimic day-night cycles and influence our biological clocks. For example, using low color temperature and low brightness lighting (below 3000K) in the bedroom before sleep can promote melatonin secretion, aiding in sleep and improving overall sleep quality. Conversely, prolonged exposure to bright, high color temperature lighting at night can disrupt the endocrine and immune systems, leading to hormonal imbalances and other health issues.
Lighting also has other health impacts. For instance, UV lights can disinfect and reduce the risk of bacterial infections, while specific wavelengths from light therapy lamps can treat seasonal affective disorder and skin conditions.
When it comes to psychological healing, lighting plays a significant role in emotional regulation. Different lighting can create varying atmospheres that affect mood. Warm yellow light can evoke a sense of comfort and warmth, helping to alleviate tension and anxiety. In meditation or relaxation spaces, blue or green lighting can foster calmness and reduce stress.
Well-designed lighting can also provide positive psychological cues. For example, using soft, bright lighting in rehabilitation therapy rooms can suggest hope for recovery and boost patients' confidence. In office spaces, bright, even lighting can create an atmosphere conducive to focus and productivity, enhancing motivation and positivity. Additionally, lighting can alter the visual perception of a space, impacting psychological feelings. By cleverly utilizing lighting effects and shadows, small areas can appear more spacious or create a cozy, intimate atmosphere, catering to various psychological needs.
Integrating smart systems into lighting design can enhance basic illumination while providing richer experiences. By meeting health lighting standards and dynamically adjusting light colors based on age, lifestyle habits, and time of day, the effects of different light colors can vary. For instance, the contexts in which red, blue, and white light are used are completely different.
