Natural lighting for home can have many wellness benefits. Lighting can have a dramatic affect on our moods and our health. For example, bright lights can be too stimulating and irritating. Especially lights like fluorescent lights which are actually toxic. Some people experience mild headaches, migraines, or nausea when they are exposed to fluorescent lighting. I’m someone who has bad reactions to fluorescent lighting so I try to avoid it as much as possible. You might not be able to avoid it at work but do your best to install non-fluorescent light bulbs at home.
Sunlight
If you can incorporate natural lighting into your home, this would be your best option in terms of lighting. Hey and it’s free! Just opening the curtains and letting some sunlight in can fill your space with vibrant energy! Even if your not really “feeling it”. Just do it. The warmth from the sunlight will nourish you and provide a little vitamin D as well! Remember getting your daily dose of vitamin D is super important for improving your emotional health. Research points to the significant role vitamin D plays in regulating mood and warding off depression. And the best source of vitamin D is the sun which is why it’s otherwise known as the “sunshine vitamin”. So open those curtains!
Secondly, there are more benefits to natural lighting for home. Opening curtains and letting natural lighting in is very important for our health. Natural lighting can improve our overall wellbeing and has been shown to combat depression. In addition, it will improve our circadian rhythms. Our bodies are programmed to respond to the light cycles of our environment. The natural lighting from the sun tells our body to be active and at night the absence of sunlight tells our bodies to rest. When we follow and foster our natural circadian rhythm, we are able to sleep better. When we sleep better, our moods and emotional well being improve. According to research, better sleep can aid in decreasing symptoms of depression. Utilize natural lighting for it’s many health benefits. And also use natural lighting or soft lighting for bedrooms and living spaces to encourage feelings of peace and relaxation.
Candles
For example, let’s say you want to create a more relaxing mood. Something to calm your nerves after a long day or maybe just to set yourself up for a peaceful sleep. That’s when you cue the soft music and put on some mood lighting. I love candles! Anyone else love candles? They’re pretty, glowing, and they smell good. What’s not to like? So it’s perfectly okay to sit in a dimly lit room, by yourself, with candles on, relaxing to some sound healing music. It’s “you time”! Enjoy your time with you!
Himalayan Salt Lamps
Another good option for soft lighting is to use a Himalayan Salt Lamp like the one in the picture above. Himalayan salt lamps are carved out of actual Himalayan salt. It radiates a warm glow and has an earthy feel to it. The Himalayan salt lamp is believed to purify the air, release negative ions into the air, improve mood, and decrease symptoms of allergies. There is a study that showed that negative air ions actually had a significant impact on decreasing depressive symptoms (1). This would also make it beneficial to use in an office space where you come into contact with electronics. The Himalayan salt lamp is not only beneficial it is also very beautiful. With it’s amber colored, warm glow it adds ambiance and appeal to any room.
(1) Goel N, Etwaroo GR. Bright light, negative air ions and auditory stimuli produce rapid mood changes in a student population: a placebo-controlled study. Psychol Med. 2006;36(9):1253-1263. doi:10.1017/S0033291706008002
