natural light versus artificial light

Natural light is full spectrum and dynamic. Full spectrum means that light contains all the colors of the rainbow. Dynamic means that the intensity and mix of colors changes with the time of day. Natural light cycles from bright with a high blue content during the day, to soft with a high red content in the the evenings. The bright blue-rich light signals us to be awake and alert, while the soft red-rich light tells our bodies it’s time to relax and prepare for sleep. The blue-rich bright light of a sunny day highlights primary colors and makes whites look crisp, while the soft light of sunset accents earth-tones and makes skin glow. Natural light provides the visual (aesthetic) and biological (health and wellness) queues we need to see and feel our best!

Most artificial light sources emit a static spectrum which means their mix of colors cannot change with time of day. As a result artificial light sources are designed to either replicate daylight or evening light. Cool white LEDs and most fluorescents are designed to mimic daylight (blue-rich light). Light from most LED products (light bulbs AND devices/screens) is intrinsically blue-rich since they are powered by blue LEDs. Blue rich light interferes with our sleep and recovery and should therefore be avoided at night. Traditional incandescent (and most Halogen) light sources provide good full-spectrum light but can only mimic sunset (red-rich light). Incandescents are therefore good for evening illumination but cannot make us feel awake and alert. Fluorescents simulate white light by providing only a few colors of the rainbow – which is why we look and feel our worst under fluorescent lighting. Each artificial light source delivers a different mix of biological, aesthetic and energy impacts.

Artificial light can be used safely so long as the intensity and color/spectrum is appropriate for the time of day. New technology which allows artificial light sources to mimic the intensity and color cycles of natural light is now becoming available. Human Centric Lighting (HCL) is focused on maximizing the visual and biological benefits of light.

TIP#3: NOTICE how artificial light compares to natural light at different times of day, and how this makes you look and feel.

TIP#4: download and USE f.lux (for Android devices and PC) and Nightshift (for Apple/iOS devices) to mitigate the impact of devices/screens.

additional reading and resources:
(a) high-level discussion about natural vs. artificial light
(b) read more about mitigating the impact of screens/devices at f.lux
(c) detailed reading about light, visual perception and color theory
(d) f.luxometer is a great tool for looking at the spectra/impact of different light sources

2017-06-04T20:37:15+00:00

One or two nights each week I have late evening conference calls with China-based coworkers and using bottled sunshine has made all the difference. Instead of feeling ‘wired’, bottled sunshine casts a soft candle-light glow making it easier to relax and fall asleep after my calls end.

Hamlin M. in Minneapolis Minnesota

I have SAD and for a number of years I have used blue light therapy from August when the sky is a different shade of blue to approximately Feb or March when the sky is the right shade of blue. Bottled Sunshine helps with my feeling of depression. Recently I worked in my office for a longer period of time than usual and I noticed how good I felt. I can only speak for myself but I actually feel calmer and less stressful when I am bathed in ‘the light’. Bottled Sunshine is now in my box of tricks to help with my depression.

Margaret I., retiree in Pennsylvania

The Bottled Sunshine lamp is at home in our combination kitchen/family room. It is on an alcove by the windows. I live in a foggy, cool area with mostly cool weather and marine layers in the morning and sometimes all day. Having the warmth of the lamp changes the entire feeling of the kitchen. I learned early on from my mother the power of lighting in a room. I never use overhead lights (at home or at the office). Lighting is the most important stylistic element when it comes to interior design. Any room looks better with high quality lighting. Overhead lighting provides a harsh glare. A lamp like this turn a room into a cozy retreat.

bottled sunshine fan, in Monterey CA

We have been using the lamp extensively for two months and we LOVE it. Our house gets plenty of natural sunlight during the day so mostly we use the lamp at night to set the tone for our infant daughter (and ourselves). The soft, amber glow is beautiful and really helps as a cue for our household to start winding down once the sun sets. It’s basically the only light we use after 9pm to make sure our baby isn’t getting mixed messages during late night or early morning feedings.

Todd J. in Charleston South Carolina

I live in Michigan which has long winter with grey sky on most days. Bottled Sunshine sits at the center of our kitchen island and lets us forget the outside. Its changing light from warm to cool gets my kids active and going out the door in the morning and then the shift from cool to warm calms them down as we finish dinner and get ready for bed. It is really setting the rhythm of our house.

Sonali V. in Ann Arbor Michigan

We have a Bottled Sunshine lamp in our bedroom. When I am getting ready to go to bed, the warm evening light is so inviting and comforting. And in the morning, I love how energizing the natural morning light is - makes me feel ready to go tackle the day (even before coffee!)

Krista B. in Albany CA

natural light versus artificial light

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