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We wish you an enlightening new year filled with happiness, good health, and plenty of daylight or artificial lighting that compensates for the lack of daylight!

Lighten Corp.  wants to Create a better living world with Good Light Group.  The mission of Lighten Corp. is to support science and lighting industry experts to provide the world with healthy color solutions that benefit humanity. LED light source combines optoelectronic semiconductors and material science and is a safe and controllable artificial light source. Taiwan R&D Center has over 20 years of R&D experience and is a pioneer in manufacturing high-quality LEDs and providing solutions.   Sharing good light knowledge can benefit humanity by allowing people who live in a building to have the right light or color at the right time. Starting in 2023, their Sunray project has built a precisely 1800K ~ 10,000K white color with CRI 97+ light through simplified lighting solutions to satisfy experts in designing multiple strategies to benefit mankind. More info about Lighten Corp.

Bye Blues conceives lamps for short nocturnal awakenings. Compared with regular lamps, the light emitted by Bye Blues lamps does not impact the circadian rhythms at night and favors sleep and health. The lamp Bye Blues baby is dedicated to new parents who wake up several times per night to nurse their newborn baby.   More info about Bye Blue

Meet our science advisor Inge Declercq , a neurologist, sleep expert, and author of the books Brain Rest, The Power of Sleep, and Sleep Smarter.

In recent years, the importance of mental health has gained much-needed attention. While various factors contribute to our mental well-being, one often overlooked yet very powerful factor is daylight or electric light that compensates for the lack of daylight. Here an easy guide to use daylight wisely: How daylight can have a profound impact on our mental health. For most of the benefits you don’t have to be in direct sunlight. Being in daylight is enough. The key benefits of good light for mental health: Exposure to good light is one of the triggers that release serotonin in the brain. Higher serotonin levels are associated with improved mood, well-being, and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. Regulates your circadian rhythm: good light helps to keep your circadian rhythm in sync with the time of the day, improving your sleep. Good quality sleep is essential for maintaining mental health, as it reduces stress and improves cognitive function. Reduction of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): SAD is a type of depression that occurs at certain times of the year, usually in the winter when there is less natural sunlight. Increasing exposure to daylight, can help alleviate the symptoms of SAD. Increased vitamin D production: daylight is a natural source of Vitamin D, which is crucial for brain health. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with mood disorders, including depression.

We’re excited to introduce our science advisors! Together with our science advisors and lighting designers, we’re able to provide you with practical insights based on the latest research. We begin with introducing Tone Henriksen, Chief Consultant Psychiatrist, PhD, at Valen Hospital, Norway.

In today's fast-paced world, the pressure to stay connected 24/7 is undeniable. Phones and laptops rarely take a break, our minds are constantly racing, and we hardly step outside. Work pressures are intense, and the boundaries between private and work life have become increasingly blurred. This hyper-connectivity comes at a cost, impacting brain health, sleep, and overall wellbeing. To counteract these effects, disconnecting is essential. But how do we actually achieve it, and how do we make it sustainable? Cover of the book of Dr. Inge Declercq Neurologist and sleep expert Dr. Inge Declercq has answers to these pressing questions and has written a book on this urgent topic. In Breinrust ("Brain Rest"), she takes readers behind the neuroscience of disconnection, offering inspiring insights and practical tools to achieve what she calls “Disconnection Balance©.”   Here's a glimpse into some of the methods she discusses. Dr. Declercq emphasizes the importance of exposure to daylight and the right light at the right time, particularly during (micro)breaks and from the very start of your day. The book explores numerous (micro)breaks, ways to identify your best focus moments, how to “switch off” after work, get real mental rest on holidays, reduce fatigue, and live with greater stoicism.   A well-rested and clear mind is a creative and resilient one.

Daylight matters. It is a vital force that conditions our health and well-being, as well as the environment we live in. This year’s Daylight Awareness Week takes a closer look at how daylight can help tackle some of the big challenges that we face today. A range of online talks, podcasts and articles will explore the potential of natural light as “a force for good”, particularly in terms of health and sustainability. Unlike in previous years, this edition is not limited to online exchanges. This year, Daylight Awareness Week is literally going out to meet the public, featuring no fewer than three events at the  Berlin Science Week  festival on 1–2 November 2024 – a  panel discussion , an  exhibition  and a  workshop for kids . We invite everyone to participate by joining our events and sharing thoughts, experiences, and content on our topics. Use  #DaylightWeek  on social media to spread the word and engage in meaningful conversations. This event is organised by the Daylight Academy . More information and see the day-by-day programme Download the flyer

Last week marked our 20th Good Light Group meeting. We began with a brief update on the progress of the Good Light Group from Jan Denneman, followed by presentations from Erna van het Erve and Ronald Gronsveld, concluding with a Q&A session. Erna van het Erve, CEO of Studio LRO  – (Natuurlijk Licht en Ruimte Ontwerp), or Natural Light and Space Design, discussed her rebranding process and provided a demonstration on the practical applications of biophilic lighting in interiors. Ronald Gronsveld, CEO of Rofianda , spoke on LED lighting—emphasising benefits beyond energy savings and product lifespan, with a focus on human well-being. He explained: while all circadian lighting is human-centric, not all human-centric lighting is circadian. Why do people feel happier outdoors in summer?   Watch the Good Light Group news Watch the presentation of Erna Watch the presentation of Ronald

In most countries northern hemisphere every last Sunday of October the clock switches back to natural standard time. This year on 27th of October.  Often the standard time is referred to as "winter time"  and it means that the night from Saturday to Sunday will be one hour longer. The result is that it becomes earlier light in the morning and this extra morning light brings a number of benefits to our health. Go here for a detailed time zone map The earlier sunrise after the time shift is more than just a nice way to start the day, it helps regulate our internal body clocks. This synchronization between the natural light and the time on our watches plays a key role in improving our sleep quality. When our internal clock is aligned with the standard time, we tend to sleep better, wake up more refreshed, and feel more energetic throughout the day. Morning light exposure has also been linked to better mood regulation, helping us feel more upbeat and positive. While the extra morning light is a bonus, shifting the clocks can still be disruptive for many people. The adjustment period can sometimes feel like a mini jet lag, where your body struggles to adapt to the new rhythm. One of the best ways to make this transition smoother is to spend plenty of time outdoors, especially in the morning, during the days following the time change. The natural light helps your body recalibrate its internal clock, making it easier to adapt to the new schedule. While we adjust to standard time now, there's a growing debate over whether we should continue changing the clocks twice a year. It would be even better if countries aligned their time zones more closely with the natural longitude where they belong.

On average, a person spends about 20 hours a day indoors—whether it’s babies in daycare, students in classrooms, or employees in offices. Over an 80-year lifespan, this totals approximately 584,000 hours, or 83.3% of our lives, spent indoors. Given this significant amount of time, the health impacts of indoor environments are crucial. The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) addresses these impacts through the WELL Building Standard. This framework enhances the quality of life in buildings by focusing on air and water quality, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community. Achieving WELL Certification demonstrates a building’s commitment to occupant well-being. WELL Certification WELL Certification represents the highest achievement in health-focused building design, requiring projects to meet stringent standards across ten concepts. Two key aspects are L03 Circadian Lighting Design and L08 Electric Light Quality. L03 Circadian Lighting Design Our bodies rely on light cues to regulate circadian rhythms. Prolonged indoor time with inadequate lighting disrupts these rhythms, affecting sleep quality and linking to health issues like obesity and depression. The WELL certification sets requirements for Melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance (melanopic EDI) to ensure proper circadian lighting, specifying 136 melanopic EDI for tier 1 and 250 for tier 2. L08 Electric Light Quality High-quality electric lighting enhances color perception and reduces flicker, which can cause eye strain, headaches, and migraines. WELL standards ensure lighting supports accurate color rendering and minimizes flicker, promoting a healthier indoor environment. Conclusion WELL certification underscores the impact of indoor environments on health. Good lighting supports circadian rhythms, mood, and productivity. Achieving WELL certification ensures buildings provide optimal lighting, enhancing both physical and mental well-being, and creating healthier, more productive spaces. Read the whole paper here Source: UPRtek

While it’s important to get enough daylight, it’s equally crucial to protect your skin from overexposure to UV rays in direct sunlight, which can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. Photo by Guzmán Barquín  on Unsplash     Here are some tips for safe sun exposure: Use sunscreen: apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 when spending extended periods outside. Wear protective clothing: long sleeves, hats, and sunglasses can help protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Seek shade: if the sun is bright (check the UV-index) avoid direct sunlight during peak hours (10 AM to 4 PM). Daylight is a natural and effective way to boost mental health. By understanding the science behind it and making small changes to increase your daily exposure, you can improve your mood, reduce stress, and enhance your overall well-being. But embrace the power of daylight safe and let it brighten not just your day, but your life. For more tips on improving mental health and well-being, explore our other blogs and stay tuned for more insightful content.