Published on 12, July, 2020
Lights used in my workplace are fluorescent lights but they always were the warm yellow fluorescent lights. The place was a bit dim (there are no windows) but it was nice. I liked it that way.
Few days ago few lightbulbs burned out and today they were replaced. By new ones which give strong cool white light. They are really bright, too bright.
Most people said they’re too bright, complained a bit, joked a bit (“now I can see through you”) and then went back to work.
I complained a bit about the new light as well, squinted a bit and then went back to work but after few minutes I’ve noticed that my heart beat is really fast and I’m hyperventilating.
Is it the light?
And if the light is causing my anxiety what can I do about it? They’re not going to change it back.
Dear Ladybird, You are not imagining this.
True story: blueish (less yellow) light has been compared with caffeine for having more simulant / irritant effects. In the 1990s some banks replaced their lighting with bluer lights to make staff work more and keep awake longer. There are some offices in London where they did this. When i lived in London you could still see some blueish lights at a big bank HQ where I assume their trading floor is, haven't been there the last 10 years or so..
Scholarly article:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3838207/
An easy to read one, which i don't like as it views it as a positive, even though it is basically caffeinating individuals by irritating them awake:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081029105807.htm