Ever been in the mood to study but suddenly felt something wasn’t quite right? Your workspace lighting might just be the issue.
Although it usually goes unnoticed, lighting can easily shape our mood, well-being, and focus. Being mindful of the lighting in your study space goes a long way for staying alert, and making your study sessions effective.
We’ve gathered the best study lighting tips to optimize your workspace and achieve ultimate focus! Let’s dive in.
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Best Light Colors for Studying
Different light colors can affect you and your study session completely differently. Certain light intensities and colors could cause an increase in alertness, while some may signal the brain to relax and wind down after a long day.
Here are some of the best light colors for your study sessions to help supercharge your brainpower!
🔵⚪ Blue or White Light
Bright blue or white light, also called cool colors, promotes alertness and focus. They simulate natural daylight, triggering the brain to improve concentration and productivity. When tackling challenging and complex subjects that demand maximum focus, blue or white light is the way to go.
Feeling sleepy while reading your textbook? Try turning on a lamp with cool light to help you feel more awake. It’s best to consider using blue or white light during the morning and early afternoon to match your brain’s best hours.
However, be careful not to overuse blue or white light, particularly those from your phone, computer screen, or tablet (especially at night) since it’ll disrupt your body’s natural production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for making you feel sleepy. Fortunately, you can make use of your device’s Night Mode, or even pop on a red color filter to lower your blue light exposure in the evening — ultimately protecting your sleep quality and focus the next day.
🟡🟠 Yellow or Orange Light
Warm colors like yellow or orange are often used to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
To prep your mind for a good night’s sleep, go from cool to warm lighting as you near the end of your nighttime study session — particularly in the last hour while you do a final review of your flashcards or start some light reading. This will help you wind down while still maximizing your remaining study time. You can also do this by switching the screens of your devices to warmer color filters, making it easier to transition into a calm state before bedtime.
🟢 Green Light
Green light might seem like an unusual choice, but studies have shown it offers unique study benefits.
It can improve creativity, maintain concentration, and enhance attention to detail — an excellent choice that one can use to boost productivity.
Love that post-hike feeling? Green light can bring that nature-inspired vibe right to your study space. Green light also reduces eye strain and fatigue, helping you concentrate better and providing a quick mental refresh.
Achieving the Perfect Study Lighting Setup
Now that you know the best light colors for your study space, let’s explore how you can incorporate them into your study setup, while considering both functionality and aesthetics:
Natural Daylight First
Before diving into artificial lighting, prioritize natural daylight. When redesigning your room or study area, consider the windows and their positioning to place your study desk in the most advantageous spot.
Despite the abundance of artificial lighting solutions, natural daylight is unbeatable for concentration and overall alertness. If windows are lacking, make it a point to step outside during breaks to get some sun and rejuvenate your mind.
Invest in Adjustable or Smart Lighting
Different times of day call for different light colors. It’s important to invest in a flexible lighting setup that lets you switch colors, hues, and brightness levels to suit your study needs. Whether you need intense blue light for maximum focus, or dim warm light for a cozy relaxing vibe, the ability to change your lighting conditions easily and quickly with smart bulbs or strips is a game-changer.
Use Task Lighting
Ever squint to read a page of your textbook? Maybe there isn’t enough targeted light at your setup. Make use of lamps, wall-mounted lights, or clip-on fixtures to brighten your study zone and minimize your eye fatigue.
Position Properly
Knowing the best light colors is only worthwhile if positioned correctly. The placement of different lights plays a crucial role in optimizing your light setup and avoiding glare on your desk or screen. When rearranging your light sources, be mindful of other reflective surfaces in your room, such as glass or mirrors.
How Light Affects Learning and Productivity
Last but not least, if you’re curious about the science behind lighting and productivity, read on!
Tons of studies have shown that light significantly affects our brains, including our level of alertness, mood, and even mental health.
Natural daylight is widely considered to be the best choice for learning and productivity, but unfortunately if you’re living in a campus dorm, in a basement, or small home, large windows may not be readily available to harness the benefits of natural light.
We can’t also depend on the presence of natural daylight all the time. What if the skies are dark with a storm on the way, or if you’re a night studier? Natural daylight can be unpredictable and is not always reliable.
Because of this, creating the best lighting for studying is essential — whether it’s your bedroom, living room, or a specific spot at home.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different light colors and placements and find out what works best for you and what doesn’t. Pay attention to how different lighting setups affect your productivity and adjust as needed. Finding the best light setup for you may take time, but those focused study sessions will make it all worth it!
What does your studying lighting setup look like? Do you prefer cool or warm light for studying? Let us know in the comments below!
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