Let’s face it. Life is hard and there are plenty of ups and downs. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to deal with a “down” day! We’re no experts in chocolate, bath bombs, or the latest workout routines, but we do know an easy and little-known trick to help boost your mood. It all has to do with something you use every day: lighting.

How does it work? It’s simple.

The Secret to a Better Mood is Easier Than You Think

Lighting is responsible for modulating our body’s circadian rhythm (aka sleep cycle, body clock). When we’re in brighter environments, our bodies see it as a sign to stay awake and be active. Likewise, dim and poorly lit environments are a signal to our body to rest. The light our body is exposed to actually changes the chemical response inside – hence the link between lighting and our mood. 

An article in ArchDaily explains this effect as it relates to our mood as well: brighter lights give us a mood boost and poor lighting contributes to deficiencies and can even cause depression.

So, how do you pick the right types of light to boost your mood?

One Light, Two Light, Red Light, Blue Light

Get this: it’s not just about the brightness of the bulbs or the number of bulbs there are in the room. The color of our environment also plays a huge role in determining how we feel. In fact, it may even be the most important part of lighting as it affects our mood. While some people choose to repaint their walls to see this effect, changing out your light bulbs is a much easier solution.

The goal of artificial light is to mimic the pattern of the sun. In the morning, bluish-white lighting can help the body transition into the day as the sun begins to rise. During the day, bright lights positioned directly overhead help keep you alert and productive. And at night, warmer bulbs offer the best color light for sleeping as they make us feel cozy and help us tune into “sleep mode”. Again, the idea is to use colors that mimic the sun’s natural light and position in the sky at different times throughout the day. For example, wall lighting such as sconces are great during the morning and evening as they mimic a sunrise and sunset. 

GearBrain mentions a Harvard study that clarifies how this works: blue light wavelengths keep us awake by causing our body to suppress melatonin. In contrast, an increase in the melatonin hormone means it’s time to sleep. So using low blue light bulbs in the bedroom, in and around bedtime, is key to winding down effectively before attempting to sleep.

During the day, bright whiter overhead lights are the key. In spaces where people are interacting throughout the day, ensuring these spaces are well lit, with the appropriate amount of light will ensure your body is producing the positive chemicals that will naturally lift your mood. Look for low blue light bulbs that have a CRI around 90, 4000-5000 Kelvin, and are full spectrum. Then ensure your room has enough light. Here is a quick formula to help you determine how much light is needed in a particular room.

For the average living space of 250 square feet, you’ll need roughly a total of 5,000 lumens as your primary light source (20 lumens x 250 square feet). In kitchen and dining room, you generally more light, so try to achieve 30-40 lumens per square foot. Each bulb or light will have a lumen rating, simply add them all up to be sure you have enough general lighting to feel your very best.

Better Lighting, Better Sleep, Better Mood

You already know that your quality of sleep affects your mood the next day. It’s why we tell kids to take a nap when they’re starting to get grouchy. So, if lighting affects how well you sleep, it makes sense that it would also be one of the best ways to improve your mood, right?

But it’s not that easy.

You’ve changed all your bulbs and you’re using only warm lighting, controlled with a dimmer switch before bed, but you’re still having trouble sleeping.

Now what?

It may not be the types of light from your walls and ceilings that are keeping you awake at night. Blue light from cell phones and other electronic devices can also suppress melatonin and affect our circadian rhythm. Here’s a tip: Disconnect long before you plan to sleep and use a book to wind down instead. While you’re reading, use the warm light from a bedside lamp to keep your body clock in order.

Stay Focused with Task Lighting

When you’re feeling down, it can be hard to focus on specific tasks. With the right focus lights, you can stay focused and in a better mood all day long. Working with natural light may be sufficient in the morning or afternoon, but when focusing on a specific task, bright, direct lighting is needed. For all-day-focus lighting, use a desk, wall, or floor lamp to shed bright light on your work.

Although we cannot control the natural light in our environment, using artificial lighting can help make up for what is lacking. Take advantage of the light around you and begin incorporating its patterns into your life. You’ll see a boost in your mood in both the short and long term!

We’re your local lighting people, and we’re here for you! For further tips about how to maximize your home lighting and boost your mood, give us a call!

Is your workspace working for you? Studies have demonstrated that the way you light your business affects everything from how customers perceive your brand to your mood and even employee productivity. Get lighting right and take your business to the next level!

Here, we’ll cover seven lighting tricks to add that ‘it’ factor to your office or store.

1. Health Benefits

Every good business owner knows that a happy, healthy worker is a productive worker—but what can a business owner do to promote employee wellness? One influential strategy is investing in dimmable lights for your workspace. Bright lights are the best way to augment the natural energy we feel in the morning, and can even lead to increased productivity. As the day goes on, however, excessively bright lights (with too much blue light) can cause eye strain or induce irregular sleeping patterns. 

To prevent this in your office, dim the lights slightly in the afternoon. Bright morning light and waning afternoon light match the natural daylight cycle our bodies crave, and will help regulate circadian rhythms for everyone in the office. This can lead to improved mood, more restful sleep, and increased workplace productivity.

2. Visual Emphasis

Your lights send a message—but how? Overall lighting is important, but here we’re talking about something specific: spotlights. Round lights, shining directly on an object of emphasis, communicate importance and draw a customer’s eye.  Highlight a new item in stock, or make your mission statement a central part of the décor. Tell your customers about your brand values, great deals, and more by using intentional spotlights.

3. Increased Artistic Appeal

Artistic flair and evenly distributed light make any room feel classy. No matter the size of your office or shop, strategic lighting can augment the atmosphere. Use lights to create a visual division in a large space, or open up a small area by placing lights accordingly. Make a bland area more interesting or a gathering area feel inviting, using specific light color, brightness, direction, and placement.

4. Emotional Influence

Overall lighting affects more than just employee mood and productivity—it also influences your clients. The color, brightness, and placement of your business lights can make people feel focused, at ease, or excited. Bright lights heighten emotions and energize customers, while dim lights will calm and relax. Colors like yellow, blue, and orange tend to stimulate the brain while greens and browns tend to calm. Use light intensity and color to put your customers in the mood that most benefits your business!

5. Energy Savings

Cost cutting can be as simple as changing your lights. Energy efficient lighting is a must-have for small businesses, not to mention a great way to increase profit margins. Simple upgrades like switching to LED bulbs or implementing a timer can save money and the environment. It’s an all-around win!

6. Increase Brand Clarity

Selling your brand can be quite the task if your customers aren’t sure what your brand really is. Use spotlights to draw the eye to physical objects and areas in your office, but don’t stop there! Your brand colors communicate company values and help customers connect with your brand. For example, upscale offices might opt for a classic white on black look, while a hip downtown storefront might catch attention with a more colorful display. When appropriate, choose colored lights that match your brand image and use them around the office.

7. Photo Opportunities

In a world of selfies and peer marketing, it doesn’t hurt to make your business a photo-friendly space. Create an attractive, well-lit area primed for a photo, and don’t be surprised if it gets a lot of use! As customers have positive experiences with your business, photos are a natural way to capture memories and then take them to social media. You may even go the extra mile and make your logo a focal point for photos—satisfied customers will become your brand ambassadors!

Whether you run a professional office, a retail store, or any other type of business, your professional lighting really makes a difference. Color and brightness affect the mood and productivity of employees and clients. Placement and quantity of light change the visual appearance of your space, and colored, directional lighting can emphasize important brand messages. For personalized advice on how to maximize your business lighting, call our design experts at Pine Grove Lighting. We’re happy to help!

If you’ve ever purchased an appliance, light bulb, or television, you’ve probably heard the phrase “Energy Star”. And sure, it sounds like a good thing, but what does it really mean? There’s a lot we could say about it, but here are just four things we want everyone to know about Energy Star.

1. They Save the Planet

ENERGY STAR is a program developed by the US government (and the Environmental Protection Agency) that aims to reduce energy consumption, and specifically, greenhouse gas emissions. Consumers, manufacturers, and businesses use the Energy Star label to select products that conserve energy, reduce pollutants, and save money.

2. They Cut Your Utility Bill

To quantify those energy-efficient measures and show how it affects you directly, Energy Star products come with an Energy Guide. It’s often brightly colored, displayed on the side or front of an appliance, or on the box of a lightbulb. Based on national energy costs, the Energy Guide shows the estimated yearly energy cost, allowing you to compare the long-term cost of the products you buy.

For example, LED lights use up to 90% less energy than incandescent lighting, which saves (you guessed it) 90% of your typical electricity costs for bulbs. They also reduce repeat purchases, because these high-quality bulbs last longer than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. LEDs also produce very little heat, so you may even see reduced cooling costs.

3. They’re High Quality

In order for products to be ENERGY STAR rated, they must rank among the top 25% of all similar products. Every Energy Star product is certified by an independent third-party for quality and energy efficiency. That said, when you buy an Energy Star product, you’re not only investing in the environment—you’re also getting a top-notch product.

Some Energy Star products cost more than similar models, but cost difference balances out when you consider it an upfront investment in utility savings. Calculating these costs is easy with the Energy Guide.

4. They Have Great Warranties

Because these products are high-quality and built for long-term use, manufacturers are confident about guaranteeing Energy Star products. Any Energy Star purchase will come with a good warranty, so consumers can rest easy about purchasing. Light bulbs, for example, typically come with at least three-year warranties.

Energy Star for the Win

Here at Pine Grove Lighting, we’re pretty converted to Energy Star products. They save the environment while also saving money on consumer utility bills. They’re high quality, built to last long beyond typical products. And they’re an easy choice when making purchases, thanks to the extra performance measures they’re built to meet. If you’re looking for lighting, click here to browse some of our favorite Energy Star bulbs.