Part12 ~The role of light and its influence on age~

Overview of the relationship between age and light

The relationship between age and light is wide-ranging.
First, for children and young people, light is an important element for growth and learning.
Bright, natural light environments are known to improve cognitive ability, alertness, and aid in the absorption of information.
Proper lighting also plays a role in children's safety and eye health.

As we get older, the effects of light become more pronounced.
During adulthood and middle age, the eyes age and their sensitivity to light changes.
It is known that tolerance to blue light and strong light decreases, especially in the elderly.
Excessive light exposure can cause eye fatigue and sleep problems.

For the elderly, light becomes even more deeply involved in daily activities.
Lack of natural light and darkness indoors can accelerate vision loss and cognitive decline.
Light with the appropriate color temperature can improve safety and quality of life for the elderly.

However, it is also important to remember that this relationship differs from person to person.
Sensitivity to and effects of light also change depending on genetic factors, lifestyle habits, and environmental influences.

Overall, the relationship between age and light is important in our lives.
Taking care of your eye health through proper lighting is important for all generations.
Through effective use and consideration of light, we can live more comfortable and healthy lives regardless of our age.

Relationship with light according to age

・Relationship between early childhood and light

Early childhood is a critical period of development, and light has a significant impact on that growth.
First, bright natural light is an important element for young children's visual development.
By providing bright and rich visual stimulation, young children develop their ability to recognize colors and shapes and understand their environment.

Appropriate light environment also influences infant sleep rhythms.
Exposure to bright natural light regulates your body's internal clock and promotes healthy sleep patterns.

The importance of light in early childhood also extends to behavior and learning.
A bright environment stimulates young children's activity and interest, encouraging exploration and play.
Appropriate lighting also increases attention and concentration, improving the quality of the learning environment.

On the other hand, we must also remember that moderate exposure to light is important.
Excessive brightness and blue light exposure can increase the risk of eye strain and sleep problems in young children.
Proper light conditioning and moderate exposure are required.

Providing an appropriate lighting environment and moderate exposure to natural light have a significant impact on young children's visual development, sleep rhythm, behavior, and learning.
By understanding the power of light and using it appropriately, you will be able to promote the healthy growth of young children.

・Relationship between adulthood and light

Even in adulthood, light plays an important role in health and life.
Light regulates our biological rhythms and promotes healthy sleep patterns.
By creating an appropriate light environment, you can keep your body clock normal and ensure quality sleep.

Exposure to bright natural light also has a positive impact on adults' mood and mental health.
Light stimulates the secretion of serotonin, which improves mood and reduces stress.
Additionally, sunlight is involved in the production of vitamin D, which is also important for bone health and improving immune function.

Even in adulthood, light is involved in vision.
A lighting environment with moderate brightness helps maintain visual acuity and reduce eye fatigue.
Appropriate lighting also contributes to improving work efficiency and concentration.

However, in adulthood, you should also be careful about overexposure to light.
Prolonged exposure to blue light can cause eye fatigue and disrupt sleep, so it's important to manage your light levels by managing your screen time and using the right filters.

The lighting environment and exposure to natural light have a significant impact on sleep, mood, and maintenance of vision.
Understanding the power of light and harnessing it properly can improve your health and quality of life in adulthood.

・Relationship between old age and light

Adequate lighting is especially important during old age.
Proper lighting and exposure to natural light help maintain vision and reduce eye fatigue.
It is important to ensure a lighting environment with appropriate brightness and take appropriate eye care.

Light therapy is also beneficial for older people.
Light therapy may be particularly effective in seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and dementia.
By incorporating appropriate light therapy under the guidance of a doctor or specialist, you can expect to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.

However, in order to make the most of the role of light and its impact on health, an approach tailored to the needs and circumstances of each individual elderly person is required.
Adjustment of the light environment and use of light therapy should be done in cooperation with a doctor or specialist.
Creating a healthy light environment and promoting comprehensive health are the keys to supporting the health and happy lives of the elderly.

The role of light in old age and its effects on health are wide-ranging.
Appropriate light environment and use of light are important factors in improving the health and quality of life of the elderly, including maintaining visual function, healthy sleep, and emotional stability.

Challenges and countermeasures regarding light and age

As we age, light-related challenges arise.
First, disturbances in sleep quality and rhythm appear. Elderly people in particular are more likely to experience difficulty falling asleep, early morning awakenings, and light sleep.
Effective countermeasures include exposing yourself to natural light early in the morning, using light therapy, and stimulating melatonin secretion by adjusting lighting.

Next, changes in vision become an issue. Older people experience decreased visual acuity, decreased contrast sensitivity, and difficulty distinguishing colors.
As countermeasures, it is important to ensure bright lighting, uniform light distribution, and select an appropriate color temperature.

Furthermore, cognitive decline is also a light- and age-related issue.
Light stimulation is associated with brain activation and maintenance of cognitive function.
Effective countermeasures include a bright environment, outdoor activities during the day, and cognitive training.

When it comes to the relationship between light and age, it is important to proactively take measures to address the issues.
Effective measures include ensuring and utilizing an appropriate light environment, adjusting lighting, light therapy, and cognitive training.
Additionally, an approach tailored to the needs of each individual elderly person is required, so it is important to find the most appropriate measures through consultation with doctors and specialists.

summary

Light supports sleep quality and rhythm at any age.
Exposure to bright natural light adjusts your body clock and promotes healthy sleep.
Get a good night's sleep by engaging in outdoor activities and spending time in natural light.

Light also affects people's emotions and mental health.
A bright environment improves mood, reduces depression, and promotes a positive psychological state.
Support emotional stability by actively engaging in activities under natural light and socializing in bright areas.

Considering the role of light and its influence on aging, light plays an important role in our health and life.
As we age, light-related challenges emerge, but many problems can be solved by taking precautions.

By creating an appropriate light environment, you can improve your health and quality of life.
In order to take advantage of the power of light and live a fulfilling life, it is recommended to understand the role of light and its effects on age, and to take appropriate measures.





Written by: BARREL Editorial Department
Supervised by: Yuki Oe (Lecturer, Department of Lifestyle Design, Faculty of Human Culture, University of Shiga Prefecture)
Lecturer at the University of Shiga Prefecture, Faculty of Human Culture (Department of Lifestyle Design).
She specializes in architectural environments, light environments, lighting environments, and color environments.
She is a member of the Architectural Institute of Japan/Illumination Institute of Japan.
After completing her doctoral course at Nara Women's University Graduate School of Humanities, she worked in technology planning at Sharp.
She worked as an assistant professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Tokyo University of Science and as a part-time lecturer at Osaka Jonan Women's Junior College before reaching her current position.