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Have you ever wondered why the sky looks blue, why sunsets are orange and pink, or why some indoor lights just feel … wrong? Let’s take a trip into the world of light! What is light, really? Light might look white to our eyes, but it’s actually a rainbow in disguise. White light is made up of many different colours, which together form the light spectrum. Think Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. You’ve probably seen this in action when light passes through a prism or in a rainbow when it’s raining and the sun shines at the same time. Each colour in the spectrum has a different wavelength: Red light = long wavelength Blue/violet light = short wavelength Photo by Zdenek Machacek on Unsplash     But why does the sky look blue (And not rainbow)? When sunlight hits the Earth’s atmosphere, it bumps into tiny molecules in the air. These molecules scatter the light, but they don’t scatter all colours equally. Shorter wavelengths like blue get scattered much more than the others. That’s why the sky looks blue during the day!   Why are sunsets and sunrises orange and red? At sunset (or sunrise), the sun is lower in the sky, so its light has to pass through more air to reach your eyes. By the time it gets to you, most of the blue light has already been scattered away. What’s left? The reds, oranges, and pinks. Which makes those beautiful sunset and sunrise magic!   Daylight vs. bad electric light Not all electric lights are created equal! Only high-quality daylight lamps are designed to have the right light intensity and spectrum that compensates for the lack of daylight from sunrise to sunset.   Daylight (the gold standard) Full of all the colours of the spectrum. Feels natural and comfortable to our eyes. Helps regulate our body clock (circadian rhythm) because of the change of colours and intensity throughout the day. Boosts mood and energy and helps you focus and improves sleep which is very important for your health!   Bad electric lighting Most of the lights miss parts of the spectrum or have the wrong intensities of certain colours. They might have a weird yellow or bluish tint, and sometimes flicker, which you may not notice, but your eyes and brain do. Can cause eye strain, headaches, and make everything look kind of dull or unnatural. It can disrupt your circadian rhythm if you spend too much time during the day under electric lighting, which causes sleep problems and negatively affects your health and mood.   Why daylight is so important for your health Since the beginning of human existence, our bodies have been completely programmed by daylight. The natural cycle of the sun rising and setting tells us when to wake up, when to be active, and when to rest. Daylight’s full spectrum of light helps keep our body clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, running smoothly. But today, we spend more and more time indoors, under electric lighting that isn’t good enough. Many indoor lights don’t give us the full spectrum and intensity of light our bodies needs during daytime. And in the evenings, the light intensities are often much too high. That’s why electric lighting can mess with your sleep, mood, health, and energy.

On March 11th, the Good Light Group held its 6th Strategy Day, was an inspiring and energising meeting, featuring both constructive and engaging discussions. The day was filled with constructive discussions, valuable insights, and a shared commitment to driving positive change. During the wrap-up, the group identified four key focus areas that will guide the group’s efforts moving forward: Strategic Partnerships:  Collaborating with like-minded organisations to amplify the group’s message and expand its reach. Media & Public Engagement:  Leveraging (social) media and public-facing initiatives to enhance involvement and awareness. Impact & Value Creation:  Transitioning from storytelling to demonstrating tangible economic benefits. Future-Proofing the Group:  Ensuring long-term sustainability by securing financial and human resources. This strategic roadmap underscores the Good Light Group’s commitment to growth, impact, and lasting change. With renewed energy and a clear direction,we are ready to take the next steps toward a future where good light benefits everyone. What’s Next? In the coming weeks, the Board will refine action plans with input from our Science Advisors, Participants, and Partners. We will keep you updated on this process and welcome your contributions and ideas. If you would like to be involved in shaping the next steps, please reach out, your support makes a difference!

The International Association of Lighting Designers ( https://www.iald.org/ ) published on 28th February 2025 a white paper entitled ‘Lighting Design for Health, Wellbeing and Quality of Light, A Holistic Approach to Integrative Lighting’. It was written by the IALD’s European Regulatory Affairs Working Group with assistance from members of The Good Light Group’s WG Science ( https://www.goodlightgroup.org/ ). AI generated picture  This paper is a comprehensive re write of IALD’s previous paper on the subject published in 2018. The past 7 years have seen substantial new work on the topic and a certain stabilisation of the metrics and recommendations for the non visual effects of light. In addition there is new knowledge relating to the beneficial non visual effects of Infra Red and Near Infra Red radiation.  Everyone involved with lighting from practitioners like manufacturers and lighting designers to end-users and Human Resource / Occupational Health organisations are realising the importance of light in its complete spectrum, meaning toward the IR and UV ends and not just the visible wavelengths, for healthy and happy lives in the 21st Century, where so much time is spent indoors and isolated from natural light. This paper identifies existing published guidance on the topic including discussion of WELL standards and DIN/TS 67600:2021. It also provides guidance for implementation as part of a considered architectural lighting design. The white paper includes references to relevant published papers to allow practitioners to develop strong design arguments for the consideration of non visual benefits of good light. A blog by: Kevan Shaw ( EFLA | Kevan Shaw Lighting Design ) Download here

How to have a perfect start of the day for numerous benefits for both your mental and physical health. Photo by Emma Simpson  on Unsplash Why is morning daylight  so important: Boosts mood and energy: morning daylight helps increase the production of serotonin , a hormone that boosts mood and energy levels, making you feel happier and more productive throughout the day. Regulates sleep-wake cycle: exposure to natural light in the morning helps regulate your circadian rhythm, ensuring you feel alert during the day and sleepy at night. Enhances focus and productivity: natural light has been shown to improve cognitive function, helping you stay focused and productive. Reduces stress: spending time in natural light can reduce stress and anxiety levels, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. A perfect morning light routine: Morning walk: take a walk outside for at least 30 minutes. Breakfast by the window: enjoy your breakfast within one meter of a window. Outdoor exercise: do your morning workout or yoga session outside. Commute on foot or bike: if possible, walk or bike to work or school. Make morning daylight a part of your daily routine and experience the positive impact on your mood, energy, and overall health. Don’t forget to be outside or in light that compensates for the lack of daylight for at least two hours daily! Start your routine tomorrow and feel the difference!

This is the fourth and last step towards living a healthier and happier life. The secret to feeling more awake during the day and sleeping better at night might be simpler than you think, good light! Our fourth step to good light : About three hours before bed, minimise bright light exposure. Dim the lights, avoid screens, and give your body the signal that it’s time to wind down. This helps you sleep better, wake up refreshed, and feel more energised the next day. Follow our first three steps to good light to increase your exposure to natural light during the day. This helps regulate your body's internal clock, improving mood, focus, and energy levels.

This is the first of four steps towards living a healthier and happier life Exposure to natural daylight is vital for your well-being. We recommend spending at least two hours outdoors each day, ideally including at least 30 minutes in the morning. Daylight is unique due to its intensity and dynamic shifts in colour throughout the day. These qualities help regulate your circadian rhythm, which influences sleep quality, mood, and overall health. Making outdoor activities a priority or simply stepping outside each morning can be a powerful step towards a healthier lifestyle! If you want to bring good light in your life, watch our latest videos, click here: Try | Home | Good Light Group | Foundation Light supports us in everything we do. Good light has a great positive impact on our experience of energy, sleep, happiness and health.

This is the third of four steps towards living a healthier and happier life. Feeling tired and unfocused at work? Poor lighting might be the cause. Without the right light, your brain thinks it’s time for bed, making concentration harder. This also affects your sleep at night. This video covers the third step to good light, essential when you're indoors and away from windows. IInstall high-quality electric lighting to compensate for the lack of natural daylight. Ensure your eyes receive at least 500 lux during the daytime. This helps your brain stay in sync with natural light, improving focus and sleep. If you want to bring good light into your life, explore the other steps to a healthier and happier life here: Home | Good Light Group | Foundation . Light supports us in everything we do. Good light has a positive impact on our energy, sleep, happiness, and health.

This is the second of four steps towards living a healthier and happier life. Beating the winter blues and living a healthier and happier life starts with making the most of natural daylight. Exposure to natural light plays a vital role in mental well-being, especially during the darker, shorter days of fall and winter when sunlight is limited. Sitting within a meter of a window allows you to absorb as much natural light as possible. Making daylight exposure a priority can be a simple yet effective way to boost your overall well-being. If you want to bring good light into your life, explore the other steps to a healthier and happier life here: Home | Good Light Group | Foundation . Light supports us in everything we do. Good light has a positive impact on our energy, sleep, happiness, and health.

On 6 February, we held our 21st Good Light Group meeting. The session kicked off with a brief progress update from Jan Denneman on our ongoing initiatives. This was followed by presentations from Virginie Gabel and Lawrence Lin, wrapping up with a Q&A session. All presentations are online now! Watch the Good Light Group news Virginie Gabel, Clock&Me Can we live without light? Light plays a crucial role in regulating our circadian rhythm, it is the most powerful cue for our body's internal clock. But what happens when humans are deprived of the natural day/night cycle? Discover the biological rhythms of 14 individuals who spent 40 days living in a cave. Watch the presentation of Virginie Gabel Lawrence Lin, CEO and Founder of Lighting Recipe Studio Design logic for healthy indoor lighting The concept of healthy lighting is designed to create an environment that reduces circadian phase disruptions, enhances sleep quality, and positively influences mood and productivity. Let's go through the logic behind. Watch the presentation of Lawrence Lin

Light regulates our biological clock, aligning our body's rhythm with the time of day. This enhances sleep quality, boosts energy, and improves well-being. Natural daylight and high-quality electric lighting that compensates the lack of natural daylight help maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle. Morning daylight is especially crucial, signaling the brain to synchronize our circadian rhythm. If you want to bring good light into your life, explore the other steps to a healthier and happier life here: Home | Good Light Group | Foundation . Light supports us in everything we do. Good light has a positive impact on our energy, sleep, happiness, and health.

Together with the  Society for Light, Rhythms, and Circadian  Health (SLRCH) , the  Daylight Academy (DLA) , the  International Association of Lighting Designers  (IALD) and  Luger Research (LR) , we are organising and presenting the ‘deLIGHTed Talks’ lecture series. The lectures are free to attend. SAVE THE DATE: 24 April 2025 (4 PM CEST) The registration link will follow soon. ​​ In today’s fast-paced, tech-filled world, artificial light is everywhere, and it’s having a bigger impact on our sleep than we might realize. Getting the right kind of light at the right time is key to keeping our body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, on track. Not enough light in the morning or too much in the evening can throw off our sleep, make it harder to stay alert, and even affect our productivity. Join us as we explore how the right lighting can optimize melatonin production, support restful nights, and enhance overall well-being. More info

Our biological clock, known as the circadian rhythm, responds to the day and night cycle, influencing alertness, mood, and sleep, and is primarily driven by exposure to daylight. This clock aligns with the Earth's natural rhythm, keeping you energised during the day and sleepy at night. Ensure daily exposure to natural daylight or artificial lighting that compensates for the absence of natural light to maintain good sleep quality. To stay in sync with the Earth's 24-hour cycle, aim for at least two hours of daylight each day.