Results: This is survey 2 about backgrounds; our environment as we go about our daily life. Last time we discussed sound. This time it is about light; the kind, colour and brightness of light. It is more important than you might think.
Note: This survey is intended to stimulate discussion and is not a substitute for professional help. Light is essential to our health and well-being; it regulates our sleep-wake cycle. It can also help with our daily routines: from bright functional light to keep us energized and up our concentration level, to warm light that creates a cozy ambience that helps us unwind in the evening. Businesses spend $billions on having the right kind of light for their objectives such as low, warm light in a restaurant to the bright, white light in a supermarket or showroom. What kind of light should we have compared to what we currently have?
1.
1.
As fall approaches, the hours of daylight get shorter and the type of daylight becomes gloomier, some of us start noticing the sleepy, lower energy type of feeling that may be a remnant of a time when humans hibernated. This feeling is significant enough to be given a medical name "seasonal affective disorder" or (SAD). It is sometimes misdiagnosed as depression but SAD can often be treated/cured simply by increasing the light level during part of our waking hours. How do you ensure you get enough light when the days are gloomy?
I got a high intensity SAD light lamp but it energized me too much so I had to restrict my use of it.
5%
•
101 votes
I got a high intensity SAD light lamp but it didn't work even after prolonged use
4%
•
91 votes
I increased the light level and the quality of light by using "daylight" LED bulbs (5000K) in my daytime living space. This replicated the amount of light I would get outdoors and treated my SAD quite well.
7%
•
155 votes
I increased the light level by using "daylight" LED bulbs (5000K) but it didn't change my SAD. I sought professional medical treatment rather than ignore it.
4%
•
84 votes
Other (please specify)
4%
•
77 votes
Not Applicable
37%
•
781 votes
I am unaffected by lower light levels or choose to ignore it when I am.
40%
•
837 votes
I got a high intensity SAD light lamp (between 5000-6500K and doesn't emit UV light). That really helps me.
5%
•
107 votes
- SAD is caused by lack of light. You can't snap out of winter.
- Just snap out of it and quit whining.
- Try to treat it or try to keep busy to help fight ig
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 1.24% | 18 | |
| I go outside | 0.21% | 3 |
| I have SAD in the summer rather than the winter | 0.07% | 1 |
| I prefer low light conditions. I find bright light harsh and irritating. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I go outside more during the brightest hours of the day. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I live in Florida, it's always sunny... | 0.07% | 1 |
| I just try to deal with it day by day. I go outside if the weather is good during the day. I try to keep busy. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I go outside a lot | 0.07% | 1 |
| I try to get as much natural light as possible. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I moved to Las Vegas to increase the sun. | 0.07% | 1 |
| Undecided | 0.07% | 1 |
| Go outside more and try to do things I enjoy ! | 0.07% | 1 |
| I make sure I make the most of the daylight and get outside more | 0.07% | 1 |
| I'm affected but don't really do anything except try to go outside more during daylight | 0.07% | 1 |
| I had one of those light tables it did nothing. I just give myself permission to feel how I feel, knowing why is half the battle sometimes | 0.07% | 1 |
| depends on circumstances | 0.07% | 1 |
| Get outside for walks whenever there's sunshine | 0.07% | 1 |
| I do nothing | 0.07% | 1 |
| I take medication for clinical depression so I don't notice this problem. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I like gloomy. | 0.07% | 1 |
| Get up early and try and get outside as much as possible in the sunshine | 0.07% | 1 |
| I am still working on it... Got a lamp, don't know how well it works yet. (Still "summer" here) | 0.07% | 1 |
| I live in Florida | 0.07% | 1 |
| I turn on the light and the laptop and if that does not work I go to bed in my recliner and wake up at 3AM. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I take a pill | 0.07% | 1 |
| I had to give away my SAD light because I had nowhere to put it when I moved. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I get outside multiple times a day. | 0.07% | 1 |
| Plan to buy a light. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I take high doses of Vitamin D and try to get to bed earlier | 0.07% | 1 |
| I get plentry of light each day. My curtains are open all day and I get lots of light from them | 0.07% | 1 |
| I make sure to go out in the sun more when the days get shorter. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I spend as much time as possible outdoors | 0.07% | 1 |
| Get outside more, especially in the morning and early afternoon. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I moved to a place that receives sufficient sunlight year round. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I should do these | 0.07% | 1 |
| vitamin d | 0.07% | 1 |
| I open all the curtains and let in more natural light. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I am energized by cooler weather, which more than makes up for the effort of increasing Vitamin D. | 0.07% | 1 |
| i like the darkness way more | 0.07% | 1 |
| I have more lighting on a cloudy and or rainy/stormy day, and or at night! | 0.07% | 1 |
| Get outside regardless of weather | 0.07% | 1 |
| I seek out opportunities to spend time in what sunlight there is. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I love the dark. | 0.07% | 1 |
| Live in Florida so don't have this issue. | 0.07% | 1 |
| Make a point of getting some daylight immediately upon rising each day from bed. Keeps me getting unwound and drowsy when my body tells me I should. When not possible, use a light that increases in brightness until I feel like I am sunbathing. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I go outside and get as much natural light as I can | 0.07% | 1 |
| get more sun | 0.07% | 1 |
| Just turn on a lot of lights | 0.07% | 1 |
| take daily outside walks | 0.07% | 1 |
| I am unaffected by fall/winter light levels. I enjoy being inside but I do sit by windows to enjoy natural sunlight. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I have never heard of SAD before. I just use what light I have - either the sun or indoor lamps. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I don't. I just stay depressed until spring. | 0.07% | 1 |
| Didn't realize that "SAD" existed! | 0.07% | 1 |
| I keep all blinds and window coverings open to let in as much natural light as possible. | 0.07% | 1 |
| I spend time outside as much as possible | 0.07% | 1 |
| have huge windows and don't cover them | 0.07% | 1 |
| I have 4 skylights in my living room | 0.07% | 1 |
| We get sun most of the year | 0.07% | 1 |
2.
2.
Regardless of the light level a doctor might recommend, what light level do you like when you are watching TV and/or relaxing?
I like to do other stuff such as crafts while watching TV and/or relaxing so I have the main lights on. (how bright and what colour are they - comment?)
16%
•
343 votes
I like accent lighting such as table lamps while relaxing - not bright enough to read by.
20%
•
412 votes
I like accent lighting while relaxing - bright enough to read by but not enough to light the entire room..
24%
•
497 votes
I watch TV by the light of the TV in darkness or close to it.
18%
•
386 votes
I keep the same light level on all day (what level is it and why? - comment please).
10%
•
208 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
•
26 votes
Not Applicable
24%
•
510 votes
- If I have just the TV light I nod off and miss the show.
- I like lots of lighting on all the time
- Neither one
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.59% | 11 | |
| Lights out | 0.05% | 1 |
| I don't like lights on in Apt, when the sun is shining, but more lights on when there is no sun or a night! | 0.05% | 1 |
| A floor lamp on my husband's end of the sofa. An Ott Daylight floor lamp at my end & another behind the middle of the sofa that gives light over my left shoulder for handwork while watching TV | 0.05% | 1 |
| I either have a main room light on or lamps. I also open the windows & get sunlight. | 0.05% | 1 |
| open living room/dining room/kitchen..have lights on in kitchen | 0.05% | 1 |
| depends on circumstances | 0.05% | 1 |
| Lights completely off when watching a movie, lights on while watching tv after supper is fine. | 0.05% | 1 |
| I always prefer low lighting in the evening hours, whether candlelight/scented or not or a screen’s light or accent lighting. | 0.05% | 1 |
| Candles | 0.05% | 1 |
| I only turn on the light to watch TV if I do not want to fall asleep. | 0.05% | 1 |
| When it starts getting dark outside, then I put on the low lights | 0.05% | 1 |
| varies depending on how dark or light the show tends to be | 0.05% | 1 |
| I watch TV and do other activities by the small amount of light my lamp provides to help save on electricity. | 0.05% | 1 |
| My home is usually dark because I keep shades drawn to keep sun out in summer so I have the light above my stove on at all times and a lamp in my living room on at all times. | 0.05% | 1 |
| I keep the fan led light on till I call it a day. | 0.05% | 1 |
3.
3.
When you are in the kitchen, what light do you prefer?
My kitchen is like a science lab with cleanliness, bright surfaces, and efficiency.
14%
•
299 votes
My kitchen is a cozy place with warm lighting and a hearty glow to it.
14%
•
284 votes
I have light where I need it in the kitchen. A light above the stove, the kitchen sink, the eating area and that's about it. Lights get turned on and off as needed.
37%
•
769 votes
I haven't paid much attention to the kitchen lighting. It is a mix of types.
13%
•
268 votes
Other (please specify)
2%
•
34 votes
Not Applicable
21%
•
446 votes
- No we are either eating or discussing family matters or out of there.
- No we don’t hang out in the kitchen
- Yes and often do
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.60% | 10 | |
| Lights on during the day so I can cook etc... lights lowered at night. | 0.06% | 1 |
| Machine shop lighting.I manufacture things there so need industrial glowing. | 0.06% | 1 |
| I have an overhead fluorescent fixture. | 0.06% | 1 |
| I use overhead LED lighting to light up the whole kitchen | 0.06% | 1 |
| There’s not enough lighting in my opinion | 0.06% | 1 |
| Not happy with kitchen lighting. Not sure I can change it. | 0.06% | 1 |
| only have overhead lighting | 0.06% | 1 |
| I have the one light in the kitchen that serves the purpose of lighting that area. | 0.06% | 1 |
| daylight bulbs in kitchen | 0.06% | 1 |
| the overhead light | 0.06% | 1 |
| It depends on what I'm doing | 0.06% | 1 |
| I have a bright central light in my kitchen that stays on all the time. I sometimes turn on the light over the stove when I am preparing meals. | 0.06% | 1 |
| I rent and so have inadequate lighting for the general area, the landlord replaced a lit ceiling fan with a construction grade boob shaped light! Sucks and gets too hot now as well. | 0.06% | 1 |
| I have a ceiling light. That's it. | 0.06% | 1 |
| have two big windows in the kitchen and overhead lights when needed | 0.06% | 1 |
| I have a large kitchen ceiling fixture, can lights over the sink, a light above the stove, and under-cabinet lighting. It allows me to adjust the amount of light I want in the kitchen. | 0.06% | 1 |
| I have daylight bulbs for kitchen lighting | 0.06% | 1 |
| ceiling light | 0.06% | 1 |
| Just an overhead light | 0.06% | 1 |
| just the regular ceiling light | 0.06% | 1 |
| Only stove light at night or natural light window. | 0.06% | 1 |
| I get light from sun, when no sun, l use artificial lighting! | 0.06% | 1 |
| My preference is alk the light I can get ,but ny spouse usually takes charge of what light we need because of saving money on our hydro bill. | 0.06% | 1 |
| no kitchen | 0.06% | 1 |
4.
4.
When it comes to bedroom lighting what are your preferences?
The bedroom lights are full on while getting ready for bed, but then it is lights out.
19%
•
402 votes
I or my partner likes to read in bed so one half is lights out while the other half is light enough to read by.
11%
•
238 votes
I/we like complete darkness when lights are out (what do you do to make it dark enough?)
19%
•
395 votes
I/we like it almost dark but have enough nightlights that we can get up in the night without needed to turn a light on to avoid tripping. (how many nightlights?)
21%
•
436 votes
I/we like it dark with only the city lights and light of the moon and stars.
14%
•
285 votes
Other (please specify)
2%
•
36 votes
Not Applicable
23%
•
475 votes
- Only when something moves and I don't know what it is.
- No
- Not really
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.50% | 9 | |
| I have a small lamp next to my bed. | 0.06% | 1 |
| i like light | 0.06% | 1 |
| We have LED star shaped Christmas string lights around our window that change colors and leave those on. They are bright but not bright enough to read by. | 0.06% | 1 |
| Blackout blind, warm lights set at 55% brightness for migraines | 0.06% | 1 |
| My bed room is my living room or dinning room so fan light and TV or Laptop for lighting until I call it a day. | 0.06% | 1 |
| Dark with just the light of the TV on. | 0.06% | 1 |
| Light of the TV | 0.06% | 1 |
| I like to use a lamp when getting ready for bed and use a sleep mask for total darkness while I sleep. | 0.06% | 1 |
| I would like a lot of bright light in my bedroom but I try to make my main light lightbulb last so I don't have to get someone to change it so quickly. | 0.06% | 1 |
| I use the bedrooms on full when getting ready for bed or get up. Then use the light of the TV. | 0.06% | 1 |
| I usually fall asleep with the TV on so there is light | 0.06% | 1 |
| the light is only turned on when I'm getting ready for work at 4am | 0.06% | 1 |
| Lights out but 2 computer monitors on allnight | 0.06% | 1 |
| I like it dark with just the country lights and moon and stars. | 0.06% | 1 |
| Blinds open in the day plus bedside light until it’s time to sleep | 0.06% | 1 |
| dim light while getting ready and/or reading, no artificial light once its time to go to sleep. | 0.06% | 1 |
| Soft bedside light until ready to sleep. | 0.06% | 1 |
| Used to be scared of the dark when a tween and teen, and only indoors. Would light a room ahead of me then backtrack to close the previous one. Was an outdoor person so dark forest etc. not a scary prospect actually nice and peaceful. | 0.06% | 1 |
| depends on circumstances | 0.06% | 1 |
| Several lights on as I get ready for bed. Then just my lighted table clock | 0.06% | 1 |
| My husband likes to have the TV on, so I use a sleep mask | 0.06% | 1 |
| We have Ott daylight floor lamps on each side for reading, & I have a small, 3 levels of brightness touch lamp on my bed stand | 0.06% | 1 |
| I use a couple of lamps | 0.06% | 1 |
| Use lamp only in bed, but sometimes use ceiling light and lamp when not in bed! | 0.06% | 1 |
| i have enough light from alarm clock, phone charger, VCR and oxygen machine to see when I need to get up in the middle of the night.. | 0.06% | 1 |
| I love natural light so I open the blinds when I can | 0.06% | 1 |
| Blinds for are light filtering to cover any out side light | 0.06% | 1 |
5.
5.
Our ancestors didn't have artificial lighting. For thousands of years, civilization revolved around daylight, and many religions worshipped the sun as the source of all life. The idea of discussing the benefits of natural light wouldn't even have occurred to anyone before the end of the 19th century. Today we have become dependant on artificial light to the detriment of our physical and psychological health. The advent of daylight replicating LED lighting has meant that we can now have daylight 24/7 if we want to without worrying unduly about our power bills. Given the importance of light to our well being, will you now boost the light level in your home with better health in mind?
Yes
15%
•
319 votes
No
32%
•
662 votes
Undecided
27%
•
558 votes
Not Applicable
27%
•
561 votes
- We have daylight whenever/wherever we want it.
- It’s light enough
- We have sufficient lighting where necessary
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