The Benefits of Full Spectrum Lighting - An Overview

By Chuck Lunsford

Many years ago, my wife and I were health care professionals working primarily with what was then termed hyperactivity (or childhood hyperactivity). The terminology has changed over the years and the latest description of this disorder (in both adults and children) is ADD/ADHD or attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Like many professionals, we developed an interest in this disorder because we had children suffering from it (and we later found out that we, too, were ADD/ADHD adults!).

During our research and education regarding this disorder we also discovered that some researchers were also investigating a link between ADD/ADHD and SAD or seasonal affective disorder. SAD is unfortunately one of those conditions that is often dumped into a bag of “pseudo-disorders” including chronic fatigue syndrome and even PMS at one time.

During the winter months, particularly in the northern climes, sunlight is often at a premium and this lack of enough natural sunlight is the culprit that causes SAD and what some call the “winter blues”. I, personally, see no real differentiation between the two except perhaps in the degree to which sunlight deprivation affects an individual. Fortunately, the NIH (National Institute of Health) formally recognized SAD as a bona-fide disorder in 1982.

The 40 million or so individuals who suffer from the effects of sunlight deprivation have a biochemical deficiency in the production of a neurotransmitter called serotonin that is, in part, produced by natural sunlight. SAD is not to be taken lightly because it has a pervasive affect on nearly all areas of a person’s ability to function on the job, in a relationship or just being “with” themselves. The most pronounced symptoms are generalized and often severe feelings of sadness and even depression. Without any logical basis for these feelings, these individuals often become anxious (experience anxiety) and wonder if they are going crazy. Those living or working with a SAD individual will often notice irritability, excessive eating and food cravings and a general loss of interest in social involvement. Oh yes, oversleeping or the desire to “hibernate” is also a common characteristic.

Fortunately there is a relatively simple and inexpensive way to compensate and reverse the symptom complex of SAD. The answer is exposure to what is called full spectrum lighting. Full spectrum lighting has been used for many years as a growth enhancer for indoor plants being grown in parts of the world where there is a lack of sufficient sunshine all year.

The full spectrum light fixture(s) in essence, trick our light receptors and then our brain into experiencing the light as genuine sunlight. Sufficient exposure to full spectrum light has been scientifically demonstrated to decrease and in some cases eliminate the aforementioned SAD symptoms.

While this is a great boon to those actually suffering from SAD, what about the general population? While the non-SAD population may not suffer the intensity of symptoms experienced by those with SAD, they, too, need adequate, year-round sunlight to maintain optimum health and to avoid some of the lesser manifestations of the SAD syndrome. Studies have shown that proper levels of sunlight (real or simulated) increases the ability of the immune system to fight off disease, increases measured intelligence and even stimulates our energy levels to a higher level.

Since these facts have been published with governmental endorsement, why does the problem persist in many environments? In the workplace, there remain skeptics. These skeptics are more interested in maintaining their opinions and beliefs than they are in seriously considering the facts: “I’ve got my mind made up – don’t confuse me with the facts”. So, the place that most of us spend the majority of our waking hours, the workplace, continues to use antiquated (yet inexpensive) fluorescent lighting as its primary method of illuminating the factory or the office.
The consequent stress, fatigue and reduced morale and work productivity is written off as the worker’s inborn tendency to get away with less than they are capable of.

Upgrading to full spectrum fluorescent lighting is fairly expensive although the cost per unit has been coming down over the past few years. The interesting thing is that companies that have upgraded to full spectrum lighting have in many cases reported very positive results including decreased absenteeism, higher levels of productivity and better work performance.

If you are working in an office and have supplemental lighting in the form of a desk lamp, you can take matters into your own hands and purchase full spectrum fluorescent bulbs yourself that have adapters that will fit into your desk lamp. Your investment is in your own health and well being and if the company also benefits, so much the better.

At home, get what is called a “light box” or any device that provides full spectrum light. Expose yourself to the light on dismal winter mornings for the amount of time suggested by the manufacturer. Use the aforementioned fluorescent “bulbs” in place of the traditional incandescents in your lamps. You will notice the difference.

I’m not promoting any particular brand or specific product but I am “preaching” the benefits that both my wife and I have experienced by using full spectrum lighting.

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