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| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Impact of light on well-being and mood in everyday life: a longitudinal study on timing, quantity, duration, and frequency of exposure |
| Creators: |
Bonatto, Fernanda S.  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1263-9277, Correia, Ricardo R.B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6250-806X, Borges, Rogério B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2548-1889, Pilz, Luísa K. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7328-6204, Macedo, Pedro O. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1757-9341, Skalnes, Kiara ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0414-4135, Idiart, Marco ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7129-3520, Amaral, Fernanda G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4492-4822 and Hidalgo, Maria Paz ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7886-770X
|
| Abstract: | Light exposure impacts mood and well-being. Although the light–dark cycle is the primary external cue for circadian entrainment, built environments often attenuate natural day–night light variation through architectural, urban, and behavioural factors. Consequently, understanding how light exposure patterns relate to mental health requires longitudinal studies under everyday conditions. In this study, we establish and apply methods to measure and evaluate the effects of melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance (melanopic EDI) on mood and well-being. Melanopic EDI was estimated using wrist-worn sensors, alongside daily mood and well-being assessments for up to 44 days in 172 participants. Associations were examined at both within-subject and between-subject levels. Among the main findings, daytime melanopic EDI exposure, particularly in the first hours after waking, showed consistent benefits: for example, ≥15 min at ≥250 lx in the first hour after waking was associated with higher well-being scores (βW= 0.175, SE = 0.030, p < 0.001). In contrast, ≥15 min of >1 lx during nighttime sleep was associated with poorer mood and well-being outcomes (e.g., well-being: βW = −0.107, SE = 0.034, p = 0.002). Unexpectedly, greater exposure to melanopic EDI >10 lx within the 3 h before sleep was associated with higher daytime concentration, energy, and well-being. Association patterns varied across different mood-related outcomes, reflecting the complexity of mood construct. These findings advance understanding of how the quantity, timing, duration, and frequency of melanopic EDI exposure influence mood. By providing a temporal framework for these effects, this study highlights the relevance of individual differences and optimal exposure windows, contributing to the development of light-based interventions and lighting design strategies to enhance mental health. |
| Keywords: | Melanopic, Light Exposure, Circadian Rhythm, Sleep, Mental Health |
| Source: | Journal of Environmental Psychology |
| ISSN: | 0272-4944 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| Volume: | 115 |
| Page Range: | 103192 |
| Number of Pages: | 1 |
| Date: | November 2026 |
| Official Publication: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2026.103192 |
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