Lighting

We seem keen to maintain and even accelerate our activities and entertainment during the hours of darkness, with disregard for what is offered as a natural opportunity for rest and refreshment. We seem to think it is inappropriate to apply what we observe with other natural creatures and plants, regarding the direct influence light has upon their growth, reproductive cycles and their general well being. We may feel that these scientific principles do not affect humans, but we would be wise to reconsider.

We all respond well to sunshine and in this sunlit country of Australia we are fortunate to have an abundance of it. Not only are we inclined to feel healthy and vital, enjoying sports and outdoor activities but also as a whole we are inclined to be optimistic and generous or positive in our personalities. The sunshine certainly affects our disposition.

But in our country, as in many throughout the ‘developed world’, there is a trend towards developing an artificial lifestyle or nightlife that is contrary to the usually accepted qualities connected with sunshine and the concept of a healthy mind and body. This is of increasing concern to those who understand the power and the radiations resulting from the uses and abuses of light of all kinds.

Everyone will anticipate that artificial light of some kind will be part of the environment in the cities where such nightlife exists to enable meetings, social gatherings and parties, lectures and theatrical entertainment. Our street lights, transport systems, and buildings provide this service and offer protection that we require in order to feel safe and comfortable.

Artificial lighting can be created not only for necessities for public places but has a technical range beginning with the gentle night lights in nurseries and dimmers in homes, to a barrage of disturbing combinations of sound, and colored flashing lights employed at rock concerts.

It is a well known fact that gentle light is soothing and relaxing so it takes little imagination to realize the negative effects of exaggerated sound, light and color that bombards the senses of those in the atmosphere of a rock concert. Although there are many who claim to enjoy these events and find them exciting, others find the influence totally destructive upon the nervous system and upon their mood. Physical effects can range from deafness to nervous symptoms, mental depression and other psychological symptoms, the most disturbing of which is the craving for sensory stimulation through drugs.

Our personal needs and our aversions are different one from another, whether we refer to sunshine or in selection of artificial light in order to be comfortable and efficient with our work. However, as gentle lighting is helpful for concentration and for mental health, we must avoid harsh lights and nervous irritation which can contribute to symptoms so severe as to disturb the mind and cause some to be suicidal or fear they are losing their sanity.

It is observed in records of ancient Egypt that light and color were used in the temples for healing. Since our nineteenth century many scientists, musicians and doctors have experimented with the same, seeking methods that were appropriate for our times. Along with color psychologists and color healers, some avenues of healing have been developed and research is continuing.

All agree that lighting is powerful. The most potent is that we receive through sunshine is also symbolic and represents our general spiritual need for enlightenment and understanding.

As the public learns the results of scientific evaluations of the types of lighting that best suits our need for artificial light in our homes and offices we are more likely to make right choices that actually contribute to our healthful living and help us to remain in control, calm and free of stress.