New research offers specific insights on how color and lighting affect mood

Unique hospital

For years it was thought that extra lighting can change mood, but recent research indicates that it doesn't necessarily change a person's outlook but is more apt to influence the strength of one's emotions instead. This information is particularly beneficial when it comes to how we behave or how we can influence the environment to either enhance or minimize human emotional responses.


Researchers at the University of Toronto found that either positive or negative emotions are felt more strongly when the lighting is more intense.



Alison Jing Xu, who is the assistant professor of management at the University of Toronto and the Rotman School of Management, tells us, “Other evidence shows that on sunny days people are more optimistic, reporter higher well-being and more more helpful while extended exposure to dark, gloomy days can result in seasonal affective disorder.” She went on to explain that “depression-prone people actually become more depressed,” pointing to the relatively higher suicide rates that take place during late spring and summer.



Knowing these specifics about lighting is a boon for business people, according to Xu, who says that those people who are selling items like flowers or special jewelry might want to make the store as bright as possible, as these are emotionally expressive products. Those strong feelings of love can be fueled with that extra light.



Many people know how difficult it is to sleep as a hospital patient. Much of the problem has to do with the dimly lit rooms. To take good control of health, however, researchers have found exposure to full-spectrum lighting is important during the daytime. Furthermore people need pitch blackness to sleep properly. Artificial light from a door partly open or from medical equipment can prevent people from getting enough sleep.



Scientists are learning more and more about how lighting and color can impact human emotions, as it is not only lighting that affect mood but also color and tones of certain colors. It is thought the more that is learned about these issues, the better an environment can be established that can help workers be productive and hospital patients get proper rest and get well.