RW - foRWard Health & Wellbeing eMag - Feb26 - Flipbook - Page 42
LIGHT THAT WORKS
WITH YOUR BODY
Aim for bright days and
dark nights. Bring in more
daylight where possible and
use warmer, low intensity
light after dusk. Position task
lighting to reduce glare. Get
morning sun near a window
if you work from home.
Harvard’s Healthy Buildings
guidance places daylight and
lighting quality among the
core foundations because of
strong links to sleep, mood
and alertness.
MATERIALS
Home moves:
• Keep window sills clear
and choose lighter
window treatments in
living areas.
• Use dimmers and warm
lamps in bedrooms and
living rooms after sunset.
• Limit blue rich light in the
hour before sleep.
AND FINISHES
Prefer low emission
paints, sealants and
engineered boards that
disclose ingredients and
meet credible low Volatile
Organic Compounds
(VOC) standards. Air
out new products before
use. If renovating, isolate
the work zone and run
exhaust during sanding
or painting. WELL and
Green Star programs
both emphasise healthier
product choices and good
construction practice
because materials can off
gas for weeks or months.
QUIET BY DESIGN
Noise is a common stresser.
Reduce sound at its source,
along its path and at the
receiver. Soft furnishings and
rugs absorb sound. Seals
around internal doors help
bedrooms. For apartments,
add underlay beneath hard
昀氀oors and bookcases against
party walls. Acoustic comfort
sits inside modern healthy
building frameworks for
good reason!
WATER AND
KITCHEN PRACTICES
If your water tastes or
smells odd, use a point
of use 昀椀lter maintained
to the manufacturer
schedule. In kitchens, use
the rangehood on a higher
setting when searing or
stir frying and keep it
running a few minutes
after you 昀椀nish. Prefer
hoods that vent outdoors
rather than recirculate.
