Focus on the importance of light, darkness and sleep

Daylight, darkness and sleep are all equally important for human well-being. This was emphasized by Myriam Aries, Professor of Lighting Science at the School of Engineering (JTH) at Jönköping University (JU), during her JU LIVE lecture at the University Library on 25 September.

"It was really fun and rewarding, especially when I saw how many people were here listening (45 people)," says Myriam Aries.

The lecture was entitled "Wake up to light, unwind to dark: The role of light in activity and sleep", and 45 people came to listen. Myriam Aries believes that the great interest is due to the fact that light, darkness and sleep are important topics that affect everyone.

"We are getting more and more light in society and it would be good to reflect on the fact that we also need darkness. We hardly see any stars anymore in the night sky in urban areas and that is a great pity. It has an impact on us and it would be good if we learned a bit more about it. I hope everyone thinks about exposing themselves to daylight during the day, having darkness around them when they go to sleep at night and protecting their sleep," says Myriam Aries.

Particularly sensitive to blue screen light

She does not recommend people to use digital screens before going to sleep. This is because the eye's photoreceptor cells that help us produce sleep hormones are particularly sensitive to the blue light emitted by phones and tablets. However, the effect on our body clock and hormone production depends on how much daylight you have received.

"If you have been indoors all day, the effect may be more negative than if you have been outdoors all day. It also matters what you use your phone for. Seeing pictures of cute cats may have less of an effect on our sleep than reading about wars around the world," says Myriam Aries.

Eight hours of sleep for optimal performance

The amount of sleep you need depends a lot on your age and often differs from person to person. However, renowned sleep researcher Mathew Walker recommends that adults should aim for around eight hours of sleep per night for optimal health and performance. Myriam Aries also advises not to miss the soft light/darkness of dawn and dusk.

She thinks that JU LIVE is an excellent way for both the public to learn more about the research going on at JU and for the lecturers to share their research with the community.

Will also see September lights

One of the visitors was Göran Siebers from Huskvarna, who was at JU LIVE for the first time.

"It was a good and interesting lecture. Sleep is a constantly relevant issue regardless of age, and since my profession has been health and physiology before I retired, this this theme suits me well. I myself sleep good at night, but you wonder if you should darken the bedroom in the summer and how much you should expose yourself to sunlight to cope. Your eyesight deteriorates with age and I need reading glasses indoors, but outdoors I can read without glasses," says Göran Siebers.

He has already signed up for the next JU LIVE on 30 October. Then Malin Stensson, Associate Professor of Oral Health Science at the School of Health and Welfare at JU, will talk about saliva, which she describes as one of the body's superpowers. Göran mentions that he will also visit the light event Septemberljus on Esplanaden in Huskvarna on the evening of 27 September. Then lighting design students at JTH will light up the Esplanade with their installations in light and color.

Will also see September Lights

One of the visitors was Göran Siebers from Huskvarna, who attended JU LIVE for the first time.

"It was a good and interesting lecture. Sleep is a constantly relevant issue regardless of age and since my profession has been health and physiology, this theme fits well with me. It was a good and interesting lecture. I myself have a good night's sleep, but wonder a little about questions about darkening the bedroom in the summer and how much sunlight you need to cope. Furthermore, my eyesight deteriorates with age and I have to wear reading glasses indoors, but outdoors I can read without glasses," says Göran Siebers.

He has already signed up for the next JU LIVE round on October 30. Then Malin Stensson, Associate Professor of Oral Health at the School of Health and Welfare at JU, will talk about saliva, which she describes as one of the body's superpowers. Göran mentions that he will also visit the light event Septemberljus on Esplanaden in Huskvarna on the evening of September 27. Then light design students at the School of Engineering will light up the Esplanade with their installations in light and color.