The importance of light on mood and performance. To understand the role that lighting plays or the influence it has on our mood, we will start by explaining what the circadian cycle is. This is the basis for understanding what our mood is like depending on the light we are receiving.

what is the circadian cycle?

The circadian cycle is one of the biological rhythms of our organism. These biological rhythms, to which we are so well adapted, are responsible for regulating physiological functions on a repetitive or cyclical basis every 24 hours. The circadian rhythm is responsible for regulating sleep function, where the sleep-wake transition is mainly associated with light stimuli. You may never have heard of this concept, yet you may have experienced waking up just before the alarm clock goes off or waking up at sunrise, even if you haven't had enough sleep. It's the biological clock - that's one you're sure to know!

Summarizing the circadian cycle, we could say that as night approaches, our body increases its temperature and secretes melatonin. It is at this time when we get sleep until the next day. First thing in the morning, as soon as we are exposed to the sun, melatonin levels drop, producing a greater state of alertness and giving us the energy we need to face the day. After lunch there is an increase in temperature and melatonin secretion, which would explain the origin of the nap.

Respecting the circadian cycle improves mood and performance

To help us with the natural rhythm of our organism, some habits or routines are established that will work as external synchronizers, such as work schedules, rest and meal times or even the time destined to social life or the gym. The less these routines are changed, the better our circadian cycle will function and we will enjoy greater well-being and a better state of mind. However, we can say that the work schedule is the one that marks the main axis of our cycle, since it is based on it that we will establish our daily rhythm. I am thinking, for example, of people who work at night or in shifts. It is likely that they have sleep problems or do not have a good quality of sleep.

Poor sleep quality affects not only mood but also physical health. There are many negative effects of a disordered circadian cycle, but let's talk about our brain, for example. Our brain needs the hours of sleep to regenerate itself. It is while we sleep that it gets rid of neuronal products accumulated during wakefulness such as the betamyloid protein, responsible for neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

But what can we do if we do not have a rhythm of life adapted to natural sunlight?

The role of lighting as a regulator of the pace of life

What is clear is that nowadays light stimuli have changed a lot. We are now able to go about our lives without being limited to the hours of sunshine and natural light as was the case when there was no electricity. Artificial light and the use of screens means that we can receive light at any time and this can produce a disorientation in our circadian cycle.

The job of a lighting designer is not only to choose a beautiful lamp but also to take into account this biological rhythm in order to provide adapted solutions that simulate a real cycle. By this I mean that professionals involved in the design of homes and workspaces will have to simulate and mimic natural sunlight, from its hours to its intensity and color.

First thing in the morning we will use cold lighting that will help to keep us awake and agile. In the evening, when our body should be more relaxed, we will use warm lights. Then there is the blue light that we must be cautious with it because it inhibits melatonin and can make us sleepy. That is why blue light is used in work and concentration rooms where performance has to be higher. But be careful with the screens before going to sleep, they emit blue light and we would be warning our body wrongly and we could wake up.

Lighting control to simulate natural sunlight

The adaptation of lighting to different times of the day is possible thanks to dimming and control / home automation. Innovative lighting control systems are the jewel in the crown in our industry, thanks to them getting the necessary lighting at all times is simple and you can even leave programmed different lighting scenes depending on whether it is weekday or weekend, depending on whether or not we have guests, etc.. In short, with a single touch we can change our mood or performance thanks to artificial light.

A few weeks ago we presented our Casambi control system at a trade fair, a revolution that takes us to the next level.