Healthy Lighting for Children
Children's growth and development processes are directly related to their sleep patterns. Proper Lighting positively impacts sleep, directly affecting the secretion of children's growth hormones and their physical and mental development, offering a hopeful outlook for their future.
The circadian rhythm, a key biological cycle that regulates the body's 24-hour cycle and adapts to the natural daylight cycle, is significantly influenced by Lighting. Children may experience circadian rhythm disturbances and sleep problems with artificial lighting incompatible with natural daylight, enlightening us about the importance of proper lighting.
We can examine the effects of Lighting on children's development under various headings:
Effect on Growth and Development: Children secrete growth hormone during sleep. Adequate sleep supports the effective secretion of this hormone and physical development. In addition, sleep strengthens the brain's learning and memory processes. Intense blue light exposure, such as from electronic screens, suppresses melatonin secretion in the evening, negatively affecting children's growth processes. In addition, breast milk is high in lactose during the day and high in melatonin and fat at night. Thus, babies fed breast milk quickly adapt to the day-and-night cycle and regulate their circadian rhythms. The baby must sleep comfortably enough in a dark environment for healthy development.
Effects on Hormones: Lighting affects the release of melatonin and cortisol. Melatonin is secreted in the dark and promotes sleep, while blue light in the morning reduces melatonin levels.
During the day, cool white light regulates the body's energy levels by increasing cortisol production. Proper Lighting helps balance the secretion of these hormones.
Supporting Circadian Rhythm: The day-and-night cycle of daylight supports the circadian rhythm and plays a crucial role in regulating children's energy levels throughout the day and the quality of their sleep at night. Exposure to lighting incompatible with natural sunlight during the day disrupts this cycle, underscoring the importance of proper Lighting and reassuring us of its role in our lives.
Behavioral and Mental Health: Sleep quality is linked to children's mood and behaviour. Insomnia can lead to irritability, concentration problems, and behavioural problems. Properly designed lighting techniques also improve children's overall mental and emotional health.
Flicker is known as vibration caused by LED luminaires. It triggers autism-related disorders and epileptic seizures and causes health problems such as migraines and attention deficits. For this reason, in the projects for which we provide lighting consultancy, we ensure that the lighting luminaires are flicker-free and comply with current IEEE 1453 standards.
Effect on School Success: Lighting environmental conditions directly affects children's mental development and concentration. In schools where lighting compatible with circadian rhythm is preferred, students are more successful academically, and the time required to receive reports due to illnesses is reduced.
Numerous studies have shown that exposure to light at the appropriate dose and colour can significantly improve concentration, cognitive abilities, and mood. Studies have also shown that circadian Lighting can improve students' academic performance by positively affecting their ability to concentrate and overall wellbeing. (This is especially true in schools in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, where these technologies were first implemented.)
Circadian Adaptive Lighting in Schools Image: Zumtobel
Proper lighting strategies positively affect children's physical and mental development. Considering children's sleep patterns and developmental needs when designing Lighting ensures a healthy growth process.
Healthy Lighting for the Elderly
Older individuals are more susceptible to circadian rhythm disorders, which can lead to sleep problems, cognitive decline, and poor overall health. In addition, as we age, the retina in the eye thickens and yellows. This causes the eye to lose light permeability and make light appear relatively yellow.
Appropriate lighting design for older people can help mitigate these effects.
Light Intensity and Color Temperature: Older adults should have sufficient bright and cool colour tones (4000K-5000K) during the day. This is an essential factor in increasing daytime alertness and paving the way for a better quality of sleep at night.
Special Lighting Solutions: Low-level night lights should be used in areas such as bedrooms and bathrooms for the safety of elderly individuals. These lights should be warm-colored and positioned below eye level to avoid disrupting circadian rhythms.
Additionally, due to the thickening of the retina, older people need more intense light than younger people to improve their vision quality.
7 Basic Steps to Lighting Design for Older Ages:
Sufficient General Lighting: Providing areas with sufficient general Lighting increases the safety of elderly individuals. Using diffused light sources in high-ceilinged areas reduces shadows and provides better illumination.
Directional Lighting: Using table lamps or wall sconces that provide direct light, especially in reading and dining areas, reduces eye strain and serves as task lighting.
Creating Contrast: High-contrast Lighting improves the visual perception of older adults. For example, providing colour contrast on the floor and walls makes it easier to navigate spaces.
Dimmable Lights: Adjustable lighting systems allow you to change the light level needed at different times of the day, better meeting the visual needs of the elderly.
Easy to Use: Light switches and dimmers should be placed at a height where older people can easily reach and use them in an easy-to-understand manner. Remote-controlled or motion-sensor lighting systems can also be preferred.
Soft Light Colors: Using warm white (2700K) and red tones in the evening supports melatonin release and makes it easier to fall asleep.
Safe Passage Areas: Motion-sensor lights can be used in critical areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and stairwells. This ensures safe passage at night and reduces the risk of falls.
Extra Security Precautions:
Reducing the Risk of Falls: Lighting designers should plan strategically to minimize the risk of falls for older adults. Good Lighting, especially on walkways and stairs, reduces the risk of accidents.
Preventing Eye Strain: To prevent eye strain, lighting levels should be adjusted appropriately, and lights shining directly at eye level should be avoided. Soft and diffused light sources can provide a more comfortable visual experience.
High-Quality Lighting: Using quality lighting products can improve the eye health and overall comfort of older people. Poor-quality light sources can cause colour distortions and eye fatigue.
Special LEDs developed for the elderly provide natural and clear white colour visibility. These LEDs aim to increase the "seeing" pleasure by preventing whites from appearing yellowish and support users to see better.
These strategies aim to make the daily lives of elderly individuals more comfortable and safe. Paying attention to these principles in healthy lighting design can increase their health and quality of life.
Conclusion
Professional lighting design significantly improves the health and quality of life of vulnerable groups such as children and older people. Age-specific lighting strategies support the biological rhythms of these individuals, helping them live a healthier and more balanced life. Paying attention to these principles in lighting design will provide significant benefits in terms of aesthetics and health.
Contact us for healthy lighting design and consultancy for your school, hospital, nursing home, office, or other architectural projects.
Well Lighting Design - Tel : 0555 239 82 83 - E-Mail : well@well-lighting.com
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