Page 77 - Fall2013

Technology as Servant

let there be light!
by John Moody

Light. We tend not to think too much about getting more light into our living and work- Proper
it. . . until the lights go out. But exposure to light ing spaces a much easier task. When building,
has a number of powerful effects on our health renting, buying or remodeling a home or office lighting in
and wellness. Proper lighting helps us to relax, space, the amount and quality of natural light the correct
starting processes that aid the mind and body the structure allows into the living and working spectrum has
in preparation for sleep. Proper lighting helps spaces should be carefully examined and given
regulate and keep in sync various hormonal and high priority. been shown
other body cycles on a daily basis, affecting sleep, Homes should be oriented and sited for to have a
mood, digestion and many other processes. maximum natural light potential and passive significant
Proper lighting in the correct spectrum has solar gain. Interior floor plans should take into
been shown to have a significant impact on our account how to best make use of incoming light impact on
emotional wellness, especially during the winter; as well, especially to avoid creating cave-like our emotional
so much so that people can now get a prescription spaces (except for sleep, where creating a room wellness,
for light to help alleviate seasonal light deficien- that naturally stays cool and very dark in our
cies. artificial-light-polluted world is a blessing!). especially
Real light, like real food, is true medicine. When building or remodeling a home, don’t during the
So how do we make modern advancements in neglect small design changes—skylights, bay winter; so
lighting our loyal servant? windows and the like—that can substantially much so that
improve the mood and healthfulness of your
START NATURALLY house! people can
First and foremost, nothing can replace ex- now get a
posure to real, natural sunlight in the outdoors, CHOOSE CAREFULLY
just as no supplement can replace real food. Our If someone wanted to go without electricity prescription
bodies were made for exposure to real light. Real or was forced to do so for a period of time, there for light to
light causes our body to synthesize the ever-so- are a host of traditional lighting methods avail- help alleviate
important vitamin D. Real light is cleansing, able: candles, lanterns, glass fronted wood stoves
helping cleanse us of harmful pathogens on our and others. But these methods are not without seasonal light
clothing, skin and entire body. drawbacks. deficiencies.
People should strive every day to enjoy The two major concerns to keep in mind are real light,
direct, unimpeded exposure to real sunlight. In indoor air pollution and the risk of house fire,
the summer, depending on various factors, an with minor concerns regarding the quantity and like real food,
individual may need to be careful to avoid over quality of the light. is true
exposure and sunburn, especially during the heat medicine.
of the day. In the late fall through early spring, INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
because the sun is much weaker in the temper- Candles and other open flame lighting
ate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, greater methods create soot (or, for those using wood
exposure is necessary and less caution required. stoves, creosote), a byproduct of the incomplete
combustion of the fuel source along with carbon
DESIGN WISELY monoxide and other possible pollutants.
Next in importance to outdoor sun exposure Some oils and oil blends burn more cleanly
is the endeavor to bring as much natural light than others. Note that incense, potpourri and sim-
into our indoor life as possible. Modern advances ilar items have the same concerns. The brighter
in window treatments and home design make the candle, the worse the problem: darker, bluish

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