Full-spectrum lighting companies almost always promote their products as protecting against seasonal depression.

Since that (happily) isn’t a problem of mine, I hadn’t looked into the subject of full-spectrum lighting more fully until recently. What an eye opener (so to speak)! I’ve learned enough that I now want to have UV-allowing glasses and windows, and I bought a full-spectrum light for my desk. The inspiration for me was learning that full-spectrum lighting helps support the endocrine system, that all-important regulator of body chemistry.

The change in my behavior with my new light is striking indeed: I am more alert, more centered, more focused, more alive feeling, and, believe it or not, less hungry. If you want to try this (and I recommend that you do), here are the guidelines for what kind of bulb to buy:

Color Rendering Index (CRI)
All full-spectrum bulbs will tell you what their CRI score is.
Sunlight: 100 CRI
Most full-spectrum bulbs: 90 CRI or above
Cool white bulbs (standard): 64 CRI

Kelvin Rating
Kelvin rating defines the color of the light
Spring colors: 2,700-3,200 Kelvin Rating
Most standard blubs are Spring colors.
High noon in July: 5,000 Kelvin
Many full-spectrum bulbs are 5,000 Kelvin.
September light: 5,500-5,700 Kelvin range