Everyone wants their kids to get better sleep because if your kids are sleeping better, you are too.

But sometimes, we may be doing things like scrolling through our phones or using a sleeping light, that are keeping us from sleeping better and we don’t even realize it. 

Turn Your Sleeping Light Off and Your Reading Light On

Check out these bedtime habits and see if you do any of them yourself. If so, it might be time to change things up a bit to give yourself a better night’s sleep.

No More Screen Time (Blue Light Exposure) Before Bedtime

Did you know? 

Our phone and tablet screens emit a large amount of blue light which makes it more difficult to fall asleep.

According to the National Institute for General Medical Sciences, our bodies have a circadian rhythm, which is our “physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle. They respond primarily to light and darkness in an organism’s environment.” Light is made of a wide spectrum of different colors, and science has found that each color in the spectrum actually creates a physiological response in our body. Artificial lighting has the same effect, but being exposed to the wrong artificial lighting at the wrong time of day can have a dramatic impact on how we feel and function. 

For example, blue light is most prevalent in the sun’s natural spectrum from morning to mid-day, when our bodies are expected to be most productive. This means that when we stare at the blue light on our phones just before bed,  the light is actually telling our bodies to wake up! The opposite of what we want for a healthy and regular sleep schedule. 

The effects of blue light on sleep are pretty huge. If you or you kids are in the habit of scrolling right before bed, it might be time to change that routine. 

Another study explains that a great way to help yourself get better sleep even when you are exposed to blue light is to “block the (blue) light from technology that suppresses melatonin.” 

Melatonin is a hormone in our bodies that helps regulate sleep and if blue light is keeping our bodies from creating and using it, then we’re going to have a harder time falling asleep. 

So ditch the phone scrolling before and try these ideas instead:

• Plugin your phone across the room so you’re not tempted to continuously scroll at bedtime 
• Set a reminder on your phone when it’s time to go to put down your phone and go to bed
• Try using a blue light filter if you do have to use a screen before bed or blue light blocking glass right before bed
• Change the light bulbs in your bedroom fixtures to be sure they are not emitting high amounts of blue light (look for 2700K or less)

To reduce the amount of blue light you’re exposed to, be sure to upgrade the bulbs in your bedrooms to utilize the best lights for sleeping. 

Use these warmer LED light bulbs instead!

Use Low Level Lighting

Once you have the right bulbs with low blue light, before going to bed, consider dimming the lights in your bedroom. It is best if this is done with an eye level lamp or wall sconce. Using this pattern does more to mimic the natural light changes of the sun. 

Doing this will help communicate to your body that it’s time to get ready for bed and help you wind down for the evening. Using a bright overhead light, signal to our body that its time to be productive. Cutting it off suddenly does little to help our body understand it’s now time to begin making the chemicals required for good sleep. 

If nothing else, try adding a simple dimmer switch to your main light and dim the lamps to about 30% as you wind down at night before bed.

Night Lights Matter

Many children (an adults) go to bed with a sleeping light on, but keeping the lights off at night can actually help you stay asleep better and wake up feeling more refreshed.If a night light is needed, Instead of using a normal light bulb, again try switching to low-level, warm-toned lights (2700K or lower) with a low blue light rating and see what a difference it makes in how well you sleep.

Be More Aware of the Lights in Your Home

You might think a light bulb is a light bulb, but it’s far from the truth. As you know now, the type of bulb makes a big difference in how we feel. Do you know what kind of light bulbs you have in your home?

SeniorLed claims that “Low blue light bulbs are notably better than typical LED bulbs in terms of circadian cycle regulation and human health.”

If your lightbulbs are out of date, they could be affecting your sleep. Things like harsh fluorescent lighting, that flicker a lot, and has high blue light emissions can be unsettling to your eyes making it harder to fall asleep after being exposed to them all day.

Instead of fluorescent lights, try these LED bulbs for home lighting instead. Need somewhere to start? Begin changing out the lighting in your bedrooms for a better night’s sleep.

About Us

For all your home lighting needs, visit Super Lite. Our lighting experts can help you optimize any room with the best lighting for a healthier, happier home.

Did you know: The light in your house could be the cause of your depression symptoms?

Have you ever noticed yourself feeling a little bluer during the winter months? If so, you may have experienced Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is quite common in most people. SAD is a specific type of depression that is affected by the changing weather or seasons.

A similar effect can also be caused by poor lighting in your home, even in the Summer months. Fortunately, we’ve got some great ideas to show you how the benefits of light can help brighten up your home and your life.  

Sun Lamps

The Winter months can be long, dark, and cold. Almost everyone can feel the effects of the lack of sunlight. A great solution to brighten your room and gain the benefits the sun has to offer is by adding a sun lamp into your home.

These kinds of lamps produce similar light the sun would and can provide benefits of increased productivity, higher levels of alertness as well as boosted feelings of happiness.

Cool Tones vs. Warm Tones

Choosing warmer tones for your home in things such as paint, furniture, and lighting can make a huge difference in your mood. Warmer tones can help provide a feeling of coziness, especially during the cooler and darker months.

So take a trip to the store to find a new warm paint color for your walls or add a perky yellow piece of furniture to brighten up the room. You’ll be amazed by the benefits of light, warm tones on your mood.

Cozy Nooks

f you’re ever feeling blue, having a cozy nook to escape to can help lessen feelings of depression. Being in a safe space where you can be yourself and do something you love can help elevate your mood significantly.

Find a comfy chair, a cozy blanket and a cute little bookshelf for a nice little nook. Make sure there’s plenty of good lighting for your nook to really add that extra cozy feeling.

Open the Window

This seems simple but it’s an easy thing to do to help boost your mood. Letting in some fresh air and some natural sunlight will really help you feel the benefits of light in your home.

So draw open those curtains, pull up those blinds and let the warm sun seep into your home.

Donate Clutter

Clutter can actually have a significant negative effect on your mood. Clutter creates dark corners in your home and can increase levels of stress.

Take some time to clean out the things in your home that you don’t use anymore. Keeping things simple and clean can help you feel more comfortable in your own home.

Set a Theme

When you are feeling sad or depressed, closing your eyes and transporting yourself to a more peaceful place can be helpful. Why not make that peaceful place a reality in your own home?

Perhaps a jungle bungalow brings you peace or maybe beach vibes relax you or maybe even a cozy cabin to hunker down and help you feel happier.

You can create your own little paradise by incorporating plants, pictures, lighting and even scent to your home to help brighten your mood.

Brighter Lights

Changing the actual light bulbs in your home can make a significant difference in your mood. Typically, fuller coverage with warmer toned lighting can provide you with the full benefits of light. Ensuring that you have the right coverage of light and the right temperature are very important in creating a safe space in your home.

The Benefits of Light

Having better lighting in your home can add a multitude of benefits to your life. Better lighting can increase mood, productivity, focus, alertness and more.

Super Lite has experts to help you find fixtures that will fill your home with wonderful bright light. The lighting in your home can make a huge difference in your mood. If it’s too dark in your home, feelings of depression could come creeping in. Don’t let that happen, visit one of the experience rooms at Super Lite and see for yourself how the benefits of light can change your mood for the better.

We’ve come a long way since Thomas Edison. Light has advanced to serve more purposes and help us live better, but there are still some concerns about which are the safest light bulbs.

With the recent push towards a greener, environmentally-conscious world, consumers have become increasingly interested in the dangers of products in their own homes—and rightly so.

If the products we use can harm the very ecosystem that supports us, how can we be sure they aren’t harming us as well?

To ensure your home is the safe, inviting place it should be we’re breaking down the different light bulbs in your home.

The most common types of light bulbs are incandescent, halogen, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light emitting diodes (LEDs). If you’re concerned which are the safest light bulbs in your home, this guide will help you determine which light bulbs are best for you.

Incandescent

The most commonly used bulb type, incandescent bulbs hold a filament that lights up when heated. Bulbs of this type can be found all around—from the lamp at your bedside to the headlights in your car. Whether it’s primarily for decoration (string lights in a vintage bar) or serving a specific purpose (like in a flashlight), the wide variety of shapes, sizes, and uses means incandescent bulbs are here to stay for quite a while.

So, since they’re the most common, they must be the safest light bulbs, right?

Wrong.

Despite their frequent use, incandescent bulbs still pose a few dangers.

Because these bulbs run so hot, they have been known to cause fires if in direct contact with an easily flammable material. Thankfully, this can be avoided in bulbs that allow the heat to dissipate, lessening the likelihood of a fire.

Additionally, if an incandescent bulb gets, wet, too cold, or lacks proper sealing, it may explode without warning. Depending on how it is installed, it may or may not lead to pieces of broken glass being scattered throughout the room for you to find in the following weeks in the most painful way possible.

But exploding isn’t the only way it can break.

The glass on incandescent light bulbs is usually made very thin. But this fragility means it is more prone to breaking with even the slightest tap or drop. These nearly invisible shards can end up in your hair, eyes, mouth, and anywhere on your skin if you’re not careful. If a bulb breaks, be sure to do multiple rounds of cleaning to ensure no broken pieces are left behind or you may continue to find broken glass for weeks! This is especially bad news if you have small children or enjoy walking around barefoot.

Halogen

These bulbs are a variation of incandescent because they work with the same filament heating process. However, unlike incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs prevent tungsten evaporation. The evaporated tungsten actually sticks to the glass in a black film throughout the bulb, significantly reducing light output.

The gas in halogen bulbs push the tungsten back to the filament.

So, you get no blackened bulbs and much more time before you need to replace it.

However, this doesn’t mean that they’re the safest light bulbs out there.

Yes, halogen bulbs are more efficient than their incandescent counterparts, but unfortunately, their warmer temperature output poses a fire hazard, especially if they are touching one item for too long.

Halogen bulbs also emit UV rays when turned on. So, although some UV exposure might be good for you, it’s important to take the necessary precautions if you’ll be directly exposed to it for an extended period.

In addition to sunburns, halogen bulbs can also burn your skin when touched.

Don’t attempt to change one of these bulbs until waiting for it to cool. WIth heat output that could start a fire, there’s no telling what it could do to your skin.

The overheating capabilities of both incandescent and halogen bulbs make them frequent culprits of house fires.

In fact, 97% of the electricity they use becomes heat that poses serious risk to everyone in your home.

LED

One of the most efficient and long-lasting types of bulbs on the market, LED bulbs pose no fire hazard thanks to their ability to absorb the heat that they create.

LEDs have been found to contain a number of harmful chemicals and substances including arsenic, lead, and nickel.

These concerns are primarily surrounding red (and some other) colored LEDs—like the ones used at traffic lights or in your favorite Christmas lights.

If you’re dealing with white or soft white lights, you can rest easy. These colors have the least amount of possible toxins. In these bulbs, nickel may be present and may cause an allergic reaction in individuals with severe sensitivities.

But even the most allergic individual would need to have direct and extended contact with the nickel in a broken bulb to trigger any reactions.

Although the amount of these substances present in one bulb may not be enough to cause cancer or other ailments in just one instance of exposure, they can be very harmful to the environment if poorly discarded. A buildup of chemicals in the waters can pollute the water and harm animals that call it their home.

To be sure you’re purchasing the highest quality LEDs, avoid box stores that sell low-grade products and purchase from a committed lighting provider instead.

CFL

CFLs are 75% more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and last much longer.

What’s the catch, you ask?

CFLs do contain mercury. The mercury in these bulbs emit UV light when charged with electricity. Although most fluorescent tube bulbs have a filter that protects against this, CFL bulbs do not. So, handle them with care.

Thankfully, the hazard isn’t as serious as most people think it is. A study on this clarified the amount of mercury in these bulbs and noted it’s small fraction of 3-5 mg compared to older thermometers, which had about 500 mg of mercury.

But there is evidence that these low levels can build to serious toxicity if a broken bulb isn’t cleaned up immediately.

The study also mentioned that the state of the mercury only changes to a vapor if the bulb is turned on—this means more vapor is released if the bulb is broken while it’s on.

In addition to being a danger for small children, a broken CFL bulb can even disperse toxic vapor into the air for at least 43 days, and as the engineers in this study discovered, possibly up to 85 more days.

And if that wasn’t enough, using flickering fluorescent lights can lead to strained eyes and blurry vision. Avoid serious health issues by changing any flickering bulbs immediately.

Hope for Your Health

So, what are the safest light bulbs?

As you can see, every light poses some threat to people or the environment. If your lights are poor quality or are not used properly, you may challenge the health of your eyes; and improper handling can result in broken bulbs, leading to short- or long-term issues.

Many of the dangers that light bulbs present have a lot to do with the quality of the bulbs and the way they are used and handled. However, high quality LEDs are the safest light bulbs available. Most manufacturers have stopped making glass LED bulbs and opt for plastic or acrylic instead, so they’re less prone to shattering and less likely to harm you if broken.

By far, the biggest danger relating to light bulbs is the potential injury associated with changing them. Light bulbs are usually fixed in hard-to-reach places and can require some skill and maneuverability to change.

In an effort to lower the risk of this #1 cause of home deaths, some states even make a legal push for LED bulbs in homes built for the elderly because of their efficiency and less frequent need to be replaced.

To ensure the safest home for yourself and your family, always buy quality bulbs and handle them with care. We recommend getting professional help for lighting installations, if needed. The time it takes to do so will be well worth your health and happiness.

About Us

We’re committed to offering families more than just quality lighting options. In line with the Danish concept of hygge, our goal is to bring you closer to a home where you feel cozy and happy at any time of day.

Lighting affects life on Earth and in space.

Come aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and see how lighting affects human performance. Earth applications and improvements can be drawn from this innovative advancement.

The ISS orbits Earth approximately every 90 minutes; therefore, everyone onboard experiences sixteen sunrise and sunsets.The fast changes in days are consumed with demanding work schedules, night shifts, and irregular sleep cycles.

Here are some insights about the lighting research history and how it has advanced lighting technology on Earth:

International Space Station Project Overview

Modern advances in lighting technology have been issued onboard the ISS by George C. Brainard. George C. Brainard, director of Jefferson’s Light Research Program for over 30 years advanced innovative lighting solutions within the spacecraft. Brainard is an expert in the effects of light on neuroendocrine physiology and studies circadian regulation in humans.

Focusing on the lack of sleep and how it affects the overall performance of astronauts, Brainard and his team wanted to improve the lighting on the ISS as it greatly affects astronauts. With hope of giving astronauts regularity, minimizing sleep deprivation, and improving alertness during working hours, the light used aboard the ISS was expertly studied and revised.

Light Cycles on the International Space Station

Human beings operate on a 24-hour circadian rhythm here on Earth, meaning light helps create alertness and productivity when it is time to get up in the morning and darkness signals it is time to sleep. However, in space, this rhythm is altered because a day transpires more rapidly. 

Astronauts need to be awake and alert in case of an emergency or the need to dock abruptly. Sometimes this can happen in the middle of a sleep cycle and because the days are irregular, astronauts and crew members are unable to get recovery sleep.

The bottom line is that astronauts do not get enough sleep, no matter how hard they try. Most schedules allot for 8.5 hours of sleep, but it is common for most to get less than 6 hours. Experiencing insomnia, astronauts often turn to supplements and sleeping pills to aid. 

How Light Affects Human Performance

Evidence supports the fact that lighting influences sleep, alertness, and overall productivity. 

Without the proper amount of light, the human body fails to function properly. This extends to artificial light and the impact it has on the circadian rhythm. Not receiving enough sunlight can be damaging to overall health, impact the amount of sleep, and lead to serious health concerns including: diabetes, anxiety, depression, and even some cases of autism. 

In space, the differences in sleep-wake cycles and demanding schedules make it difficult to maintain healthy habits and hormonal regulation, which ultimately impact performance. Using pharmaceuticals while on a space mission can impact the safety of those on board and on the space mission. 

The Solution

Brainard was on a mission to see which light type would provide the best light therapy for astronauts.

Through studying different light tones and the effects within tight quarters and with countless volunteers, Brainard found blue light suppresses melatonin levels and could draw insights into which solution would be the most useful on board the spacecraft. His research concluded all lights need to fall under white spectrum with variation in tones, but include a specific blue light in space as it has significant health advantages.

The lighting in space, specifically on the ISS, was updated to allow astronauts and crew members to adjust the lighting brightness and intensity according to the time of day. Being mindful of the tasks to be completed aboard the spacecraft, task lighting was also evaluated. 

Switching out the lamps on the ISS required tailored measurements and unique designs, as it is not done often and the lamp has to be an exact fit. 

With three different color temperatures, astronauts can ease into the different times throughout their routine – the light is brighter with slight blue tones in the morning and turns warmer with red intensities in the evenings. Improving the environment on the spacecraft for sleep and productivity, the ISS is working to restore the circadian rhythm of all astronauts and increase lighting options for Earth life.

Earth Applications

Brainard’s research and expert knowledge in lighting and how it affects human health has gleaned insight into how to change lighting here on Earth. Through the advances in technology and lighting specifics, different lighting options are available.

All living organisms have an internal clock, circadian rhythm, which help them become alert and accomplish specific tasks. The body recognizes darkness and specific hormones are released to help prepare the body to sleep. A similar process is completed when the sun rises and it is time to get up.

When humans are exposed to artificial lights and spend significant time indoors, they do not get the required amount of light from the sun, just like in space. With a lack of sunlight and vitamin D, the internal clock is altered. When the rhythm is irregular, it makes it difficult to sleep and perform well. 

Some researchers and studies refer to a “constant twilight” state, which is when humans experience neither day or night but are stuck somewhere between. This can happen frequently as artificial light allows humans to have some type of light around the clock, regardless if the sun is up or down. Not allowing the body to follow the pattern of the sun and naturally arise or go to sleep has led to decreased sleep, mood, mental performance, and increased health concerns. 

Installing different lighting tones, fixtures, and solutions throughout your home to mimic the sun can help you receive more sleep, increase alertness and productivity, and improve overall wellness.

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What would you guess is the main cause of death among the elderly? 

It’s not old age and it’s not health complications. If you already knew it was falling, we’re impressed. 

According to a recent New York Times article, falling is the number one cause of death among the elderly population. If you find this shocking, you’re not alone. But when we break down all the risks and causes of falling cases, it starts to make sense. 

There are two main causes of falls in the elderly that relate to lighting: 

The first one is lightbulbs. They go out, it’s inevitable. However, when a light bulb goes out, if no one’s there to fix it, people become used to less light and often never get around to it. The more time spent in dimly lit spaces, the more likely a person is to trip over something unexpected.

The second cause of falling due to insufficient lighting is within stairways. People of all ages fall when walking up or down stairs, but this can be detrimental for the older community. Stairways are places that are often exceptionally difficult to change lightbulbs, and also present the obvious risk of falling when dark. 

Luckily, there are many precautions that the elderly and their family/friends can take to reduce the risk of falls when it comes to lighting. Many of them are so simple and yet people don’t think to implement them until they see the negative effects of not having taken steps sooner. 

Take a look at our list of tips to help prevent you or your loved one from falling:

Change the Bulbs

Lighting is often the forgotten solution to elderly falls. But it’s simple, the more they can see, the less likely it is for them to fall or trip. But you don’t want to just install any kind of light bulb, you want to make sure you’re getting the best and longest lasting bulb to avoid them going dim too quickly.

Long-life LED bulbs and fixtures help to eliminate the need to climb up on ladders or reach up to higher places. Eliminating the need to change light bulbs more frequently helps solve the problem of losing balance and falling while changing them out. 

Longer lasting light bulbs have plenty of benefits to offer besides just having a more prolonged life. Because they are more efficient light bulbs, they can save the user money on their energy bills. Long-life LED bulbs don’t heat up as much as other bulbs and therefore don’t heat up the house, which means the AC doesn’t have to work harder to keep the house cool. 

Step It Up With Step Lights

Step lights are a great to install into a home to prevent falls for the elderly. Stairs are a real risk to elderly people who struggle with balance and seeing well, so providing a little extra light could be a real life saver. 

Many step lights have built in photo-cells that turn on and off automatically so the user doesn’t have to remember themselves! This is extremely helpful especially at night time when it’s more difficult to see. 

It’s important that a stairwell is the brightest place in an elderly person’s home so that there is never any difficulty distinguishing steps.

Landscape Lighting

Going up driveways, walking up the porch steps, getting in and out of the car, all of these are obstacles for elderly people and if they’re trying to do this when it’s dark outside, that’s just an equation for disaster and risky falls. 

You can help make grandma and grandpa’s yard look stunning while decreasing the likelihood of falling at the same time by installing landscape lighting. Landscape lighting not only looks great, it’s also a huge safety upgrade. 

And the best part about landscape lighting? 

Quality lighting for landscape is low-voltage meaning it doesn’t require as much effort or extra complicated electrical runs in order for it to work.

Increase the Lumens

Most homes are simply not sufficiently lit for the elderly. An easy fix to this problem would be to increase the lumens in the home. What do we mean by that? 

A lumen is the total amount of visible light that is emitted from the bulb. So if it’s increased that means the lighting is brighter, therefore making it easier to see. On average, the lumens should be doubled in most rooms and dimmers should be installed so that the level can be made comfortable in any room. 

Not only will changing the lumens in a home help a person see better and help prevent falling, it can also help with depression and sleeping better which happen to be massive problems in the elderly community. Having more light has been shown to boost a person’s mood and being able to dim the lights in the evening can help a person fall asleep easier.

Upgrade to Remote Control

We live in an incredible age of new technology that can be used to really benefit the elderly. New devices like remotes, motion sensors and smart switches can make it easier for the elderly to control their lighting without having to stumble around in the dark. 

Having this kind of technology is especially useful to install in areas like the bedroom and bathroom. As we age, our bodies struggle to stay asleep during the night due to restlessness, needing to use the bathroom and other reasons. The chances of tripping and falling are much more likely if a person has to shuffle around in the dark to find a light switch. 

Having a remote control light switch near the bed is a great way to ensure the safety of the elderly. A small remote can be easily placed on their nightstand where they’ll be able to easily reach it and have access to the lighting in their room. For the bathroom, motion sensors are a good way to go so the lights turn on and off automatically.

Simple upgrades like these can help make the lives of the elderly so much easier and safer.

Here’s where We come in.

At Super Lite, we know that lighting is far more than a light switch or decoration. It not only brings brightness and healthier living into your home but acts as a safety mechanism for those that need it most. Our lighting experts are here to help maximize the amount of light in your home to help you see better and enjoy life more fully. We are able to walk anyone through the best types of lighting for elderly homes and living situations. We’ll show you tips and tricks to add light to spaces you never thought of, and bulbs that last what feels like a lifetime.

Preventing falls among the elderly can be easily avoided, and lighting is one of the first steps to ensure their safety and wellbeing. 

Come visit us at Super Lite today and let us help you find the perfect lighting for your home.

Do you or a loved one feel especially gloomy in winter? Perhaps
you’ve been excessively tired, had little energy, or found yourself overeating
consistently. If so, you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD),
a mood disorder that causes depression-like symptoms during winter months.
Common SAD
risk factors include:

• Living far from the equator
• Having clinical depression
• Family history of depression or mood disorders
• Younger age
• Being female (They’re 4 times more likely to experience
  SAD than males.)

There are plenty of reasons that SAD has become increasingly
common. Electronic light is convenient, but can lead to altered circadian
rhythms (our internal body clock), which controls sleep-wake behavior and
hormone secretion. Increased globalization, technology dependence, and
shift-work can further disrupt the natural 24-hour cycle that best facilitates
emotional wellness.

Even those with strong mental health can experience SAD, but here are some suggestions that can help. 

1. Boost Your Vitamin D

SAD often correlates with vitamin D deficiency, and addressing this need can help alleviate depressive symptoms. There are a variety of ways to supplement your vitamin D, most of which center on your diet. Some options include fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms, or a medical supplement. Additionally, simply spending time outside triggers your body to produce more vitamin D.

2. Get Some Exercise

Conveniently, exercise is a great reason to get outside for
that extra vitamin D. In addition, SAD correlates with lower levels of
serotonin, and exercise helps increase it. Any kind of exercise can help,
whether it’s home-based, outdoor, or at the gym. There are plenty of ways
to start exercising, so find a way that works for you and don’t give up!

3. Engage Your Brain

Keeping an active mind is another way to avoid negativity during
the winter months. Doing sudoku, solving crossword puzzles, or reading good
books can keep depressive thoughts at bay. In addition, gratitude exercises
such as journaling can rewire your brain to think more positively.

Mindfulness is another mental tactic that discourages SAD.
Though its definitions vary, the essence of mindfulness is focusing all
thoughts on the present with an open mind and accepting heart. Recognizing
thoughts, feelings, and reactions to your environment can shed light on
emotional darkness. 

4. Use Warm Lighting

Lighting your home with bright, warm lights can provide research-based
light therapy that combats SAD. Creating a sort of false summer inside your
home gives your brain a refuge from the gloomy winter months. Working at Lit
Living, we get these benefits by default, but your home can be just as bright
as our showroom! It’s doable and cost-effective—browse our catalog to see just how many
options are out there.

To get the full emotional boost from your home lighting,
you’ll need a certain quantity of warm light. In the bedroom, plan 35-45 lumens
per square foot. The living room needs 20-30 lumens/sq. foot and the kitchen
70-80 lumens/sq. foot. Just multiply the length and width of the room, count up
the total lumens of your fixtures (lamps included), then divide lumens by
square footage.

Example: Your living room is 12’
x 14’, which totals 168 sq. ft. You have one ceiling fan with 4 bulbs, and each
bulb has 1100 lumens. That’s a total of 4400 lumens, so divide it by 168 sq. ft
to determine that your room is lit at 26 lumens/ sq. ft. Looking great!

Keep in mind that high kelvin ratings are less effective for improving mood, so aim for 3500-5000k. Full spectrum bulbs are a good way to achieve this, along with any other bulb that mimics natural light.

You Can Combat SAD

Though you may not be able to avoid all the winter blues,
there are plenty of things you can control. Simple things like your home’s
lighting, some daily exercise, and a few minutes outside can help boost your
mood. Best of luck from Super Lite— may winter be a beautiful season.