Friday, February 13, 2009

THE LIGHT OVER YOUR HEAD

THE LIGHT OVER YOUR HEAD

Now that winter is here, I want to share with you in this month's report the impact of the lighting that's over your head at home and at work.  And you can watch other's share their comments on the lights "over their heads" here: Lighting Research Videos

First, let's look at sunlight. Sunlight is made up of balanced energy from across the entire light spectrum, while regular fluorescent tubes and light bulbs only contain a narrow part of that spectrum.

In recent years a significant body of research has linked the regular lighting to depression, increased stress levels, headaches, eyestrain, afternoon fatigue, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating and learning.

The original research was done by Dr. John Ott in 1960. Ott did time lapse photography of plants growing and blooming for Walt Disney. Due to the difficulties Ott had in getting the flowers to bloom in the middle of the winter, he began to experiment with the variables. From this he discovered the impact that light had on the plant's growth.

Since that time there has been some fascinating research on the effects of light on humans. Let me summarize some of it:

1. In 1980, Dr. Alfred Lewy at the National Institute of Health showed how darkness produces a hormone in the brain that makes us sleepy. He then found that regular indoor lighting is interpreted by the brain's bineal gland as darkness. This means many people will feel depleted after being indoors all day.

2. In 1984, the American Medical Association officially recognized a form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It occurs in late autumn and winter when there isn't a lot of outdoor light. The treatment is to be under a bank of natural spectrum tubes. (These natural spectrum tubes will even get rid of the mid-winter blahs.)

3. In the book Light - Medicine of the Future by Jacob Liberman, O.D., Ph.D. wrote that regular fluorescent tubes increased stress and absenteeism.

4. A five-year Canadian study conducted by Dr. Harry Wohlfarth found a link between lighting and levels of stress, absenteeism and overall achievement in the classroom.

So, what's the alternative?  Using fluorescent tubes, bulbs, and flood lights that simulate the natural spectrum of sun light.

Here's some feedback we've received from our clients. I think it's amazing that light can have such a powerful impact on how we feel and function.

FEEDBACK
"My company purchased and installed the lighting throughout our offices. The effect was instantaneous!  Our people commented on how nice the lighting was softer, brighter and less draining than the previous fluorescent tubes."
     Jan Turnbill
     Bottomline
     Adelaide, Australia       
"When I first talked to your company five years ago, I was skeptical of the concept of full spectrum lighting.  We ordered a case of fluorescents for our meeting room as a test.  The results led us to completely relight our entire office building and personal homes with full spectrum lighting."
     Bob Teague
     American Hostess Corporation
     Reynoldsburg, OH
"Since replacing all of the bookstore's lights with the Excella, headaches are almost non-existent and dry eyes are a thing of the past.  We noticed an improvement in our eyes almost immediately. The headaches were gone in a day or two.  Our store is brighter overall. Some of the comments from employees and customers are: 'More natural, more like being outdoors'; 'I like them better, and I think they have improved co-workers moods'; 'I love them, everything looked so yellow before.'"
     Linda Rinker
     University of Wyoming Bookstore
     Laramie, WY
"I absolutely love the new lighting.  What a calming effect it has had within the office.  It's like we have skylights all over the office. Thank you for making a difference in our lives!"
     Kelly Herron
     Builder's 1st Choice
     Columbia, MD
"It is not too often that so many people agree on one item.  With the full spectrum lighting, the entire office work force is in agreement that this lighting has made a positive impact on their work environment."
     Gene Fahrney
     Baker Manufacturing Company
     Evansville, WI

Can you get these results yourself? Well, the best way to find out is to try the lighting yourself. I've talked to my supplier, and he's willing to let you try the tubes, bulbs and flood lights for 60 days. If after 60 days you decide you don't like the lighting, you can return it and receive a full refund. 

PLUS:  These lights are exceptionally long-lived. The light bulbs typically last 20,000 hours (that's the equivalent of 26 light bulbs), and the tubes last 33,000 hours (that's equal to 4 regular tubes).

Because of their long life they all come with the two-year replacement guarantee. (Burn-Out Guarantee)

More information and all details:  http://www.jtv-energy-lights.com

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