Throughout time, we have slowly drifted away from the peaceful properties that color and light have so generously offered us and have slipped into a lifestyle with an abundance of technology, waking at and sleeping at odd hours, and therefore becoming well-adjusted to a cycle which, with the appropriate knowledge, can be directly avoided.

Color and light directly affect us biologically, and psychologically, governing our sleep, cognitive abilities, energy levels, and psychological state. Your circadian rhythm works with the natural functioning of the brain in conjunction with the reception of light; your brain, in turn, sends little messages throughout your body to different organs and cells, triggering such important factors such as sleep cycles, hormone function, mood, metabolism, and body temperature. 

As we approach the warmer and lighter months, our bodies’ natural rhythms begin to sync up with the increase in daylight. Things like seasonal affective disorder (SAD) magically disappear.

The type of light and colors also play a part in the health and well-being of everyday functioning. The qualities of light concerning color are broken into hue, saturation, and brightness. For instance, the hue of natural light that might come from a happy lamp or the sun can evoke happiness and a more joyful mood by regulating the way your brain functions, thus imparting the pertinent release of crucial chemicals, and the appropriate cascade of hormone production which supports a more calm, relaxed, and happy mood.

Here are some helpful tips to help you take advantage of light in your own life:

– Choose activities and work during the sunlight hours in order to sync your circadian rhythm healthily.
– Limit items that emit blue light close to bedtime to allow your brain to regenerate and recharge.
– Select activities that put you outside more, this is especially important in the Spring and Summer.
– Keep a consistent schedule.
– Stay cool and rest when needed. Taking a nap, especially one that is about 20-30 minutes long, can help the body recharge and increases productivity.

Written for Aevi by: Ceanna Saatsaz