Lighting plays an important role in the workplace to support productivity, health, and wellness.
It’s called the circadian rhythm and its hormonal and chemical crescendos and de-crescendos dictate all of our waking, working, and sleeping routines.
More than any other function, the circadian rhythm defines us as creatures living under the sun to which we are connected from dawn to sunset and throughout the darkness of night. Light defines how we work and respond to events throughout the day. The intensity, colour spectrum, and timing of when and how we get that light has huge implications when it comes to improving and detracting from our productivity.
To enable our bodies to produce vitamin D, medical experts tell us we need about 20 minutes of direct sunlight each day, but it takes about two hours of exposure to some sunlight between mid-morning and noon to keep our circadian rhythms anchored to our daily routines. Working near windows at that time of day can help, but where natural light is limited, artificial lighting systems can act like vitamin supplements for the circadian rhythm.
LEDs and Tunable Lighting Technology
Less drywall and more glass are the most obvious contemporary responses to this understanding of circadian rhythms and the need for the right kinds of light at the right time of day. Technology, in the form of tunable lighting solutions, are also offering that supplement quality to supporting our bodies and, therefore, our productivity.
LED luminaries have always been programmable to offer different colours from the spectrum of light throughout the day. Recent improvements to technology mean that the solutions available right now can offer improved tunability to a cool white light, to colours that changes from dim to warm throughout the day, and full colour – or full spectrum tenability – tunability for offices that run shifts throughout a 24-hour schedule.
Light and Productivity
We know that workers who sleep well are more productive. Exposure to light, or to the wrong type of light at the wrong time, can interfere with the circadian rhythm and sleep patterns. As blue spectrum lighting is increased throughout the day, healthy sleep cycles are supported. At night, the light should change to a warmer, non-disruptive spectrum in the red and yellow region.
The use of screens at night can interfere with this warming of the spectrum we need to relax and shut down at the end of the day. That’s why there is now a “night shift” mode on many devices that changes the spectrum of light their screens emit. On the opposite side of the spectrum is a phenomenon known as the “blue boost.” When blue spectrum light is increased during the day, workers studies have reported feeling more alert and productive.
Light also reacts with office finishes and coverings on floors, walls and work surfaces. Tunable lighting solutions provide a means of cooling or warming the appearances of those finishes throughout the day and from season-to-season.
Two Principles for Tunable Lighting Technology
There are two principles that govern the use of tunable lighting solutions that support the circadian rhythm:
Even during the “night shift” lighting should be kept as low as possible and in the warm red and yellow region of the light spectrum.
By enabling us to control the colour spectrum, intensity and timing of light throughout the day, tunable lighting solutions are supporting the circadian rhythms of all office workers throughout the work day and a restful night.
As the day goes on, light in the blue and green spectrum should be increased to improve alertness and memory function.
By enabling us to control the colour spectrum, intensity and timing of light throughout the day, tunable lighting solutions are supporting the circadian rhythms of all office workers throughout the work day and a restful night.