the effects of lighting on health

Much research has been done lately on the effects of light on human health. Researches have detected a new cell in the eyes that detects the slowly changing light effects during the day. It also alerts key parts of the body to the changing time of day and aligns the brain and body’s responses to circadian rhythms. When this is thrown off, the effects can be negative.  Insufficient amounts of light can cause body systems to malfunction and can help the development of some illnesses.

            This isn’t just for those who work night shifts or stay up late, although they seem to be a large percentage of those affected. Research has also shown that exposure to blue light (LED’s) suppresses melatonin, the chemical that guides the body to sleep, more than red light. Any light suppresses melatonin, but the blue light has proven to be significantly more effective not only in keeping test subjects awake, but also in making it harder for them to go to sleep later.  With the shift towards energy efficiency, more and more lights, computers, telephones, etc. have bluer lights and this, obviously, is potentially problematic.

            As a college student who spends a majority of the nighttime exposed to light, whether it’s overhead studio lights or a computer screen, this is a little disconcerting. Both articles threw out the names of some major diseases like diabetes and cancer. In 2007 the World Health Organization declared shift work to be a probable carcinogen. I’ve got to stay up, so what’s a girl to do?

            Researchers are hoping for new technology one day that adjusts lights to the changing time of day; NASA is even interested in that type of development. Until then, all we can do is absorb the natural sun and hope for the best!

light revealing experience

            When I was a little girl, my favorite song was “This Little Light of Mine”, I wouldn’t dare go to bed without my night-light, and I lived in the Nevada desert-Vegas, to be exact. Needless to say, light has always been important to me.  It affects my mood, my wardrobe choices, and even my vision.  That being said, I’ve always thought of light in a more general way; I’ve never really considered it in the different experiences mentioned in the reading by Millet.  Having read the chapter, I don’t think I’ll ever generalize light again.

            My experience of light growing up in The City That Never Sleeps was a unique one. I saw the beautiful play of brilliants in the fountains at the Bellagio, the light from the Luxor was always visible, even in space, and there were always streetlights on every street, no matter how small. Gas stations never closed and everywhere you went, there were neon lights. Everywhere. You can imagine that I’ve had my fair share of neon lights.  The Vegas culture often called for an escape to the nearby Rocky Mountains. Here, the light was much more pleasing.  Hiking in the early morning before the desert sun became, well, the desert sun, was ideal. Though being in the West meant that sunrises weren’t the most captivating, our sunsets proved to be breathtaking.

After moving from Nevada to North Carolina, I found myself to be discontented more often. Aside from the move itself, I realized that it was the lack of sun (well, constant sun) that was affecting my mood. I had to adjust to the fact that there were actual seasons out here! That meant that it rained more. Much more. The seasons have proven to be much more beautiful here. The sun seems to set earlier and earlier as the seasons shift towards fall and into winter as well. I know this happens on the west coast as well but it appears to be more drastic here. Eight years later, I’ve learned to adapt. There’s nothing like the changing leaves of fall being illuminated by the setting sun, I’ve come to find out. Fall is definitely my favorite season. No matter the season, however, I’m much happier in the sun. The more light, the better. The same can be said for task lighting in my opinion. A dimly lit room inspires little work. I’ve got to have a bright room to wake me up, get me going, and most importantly help me see what I’m doing. I find the shadows created by natural light through my blinds distracting so when it’s task light that I need, it’s task light that I use. This way, I can illuminate all of what I’m working on and can manipulate the light as needed.

            Light can lift a mood, better one’s vision, and determine the course of events for the day. It varies in different places across the country and even more drastically across the globe. No matter where, when, or what type, light is important and should always be taken into account.

class exercise

the stairwell in the ferguson building is a good example of peripheral, nonuniform light. the space itself is dark, small, and cramped-making any visitor uncomfortable. the intimate light adds a small dose of warmth, however. i'm sure if there weren't so many movie scenes with unfortunate outcomes in places like this, the dimly lit space would prove to be a more intimate and comforting experience.

the stairs in the MHRA building are a much brighter setting, as you can see. the building's interior is painted white and has both overhead and peripheral light. overhead, there are recessed light fixtures to give an overall light to the space. there are also many windows and additional light fixtures around the space to add more light. the bountiful amount of light definitely makes the space a happy one, but it feels large and spacious-not cozy. i wouldn't say that it's a tense space, it's just not one that makes visitors want to curl up with a book on its steps.

the lounge in the bottom floor of the ferguson building is an interesting one. it has both overhead and peripheral light as well-overhead light fixtures and windows on the side. the bright overhead light makes the space a bright and spacious one, however, the furniture and view out of the window is dark. the space right outside of the door is cast in shadows almost constantly due to the overhang above and it creates a great contrast between the inside and the outside of the room. the space attempts to be pleasant and relaxed with its lounge furniture, but the overhead light makes it more tense-feeling.