Need A Mood Boost? 3 Simple Ways To Optimize Light For More Energy

It's getting dark earlier, y'all. In fact, this weekend marks the end of daylight saving time—so if your sleep schedule has been suffering, we feel you. 

It sounds simple, but you'd be surprised by how much the dust and haze can obstruct the light in your home. "We don't realize the extent to which our houses have become dark by winter," Rosenthal explains. "The hedges have overgrown the windows and need to be trimmed back, the windows have developed a layer of grime from the summer, which needs to be cleaned off…" 

This likely takes more time than cleaning your windows, but according to Rosenthal, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders for your mood. Especially if you choose a bright, happy hue: "Have at least one room that's your 'bright room,'" he shares. Adorn the walls with a light coat of paint to enhance the soothing or energizing space. 

As a general rule: Nurturing shades (think light blues, grays, pinks, and soft earth tones) create a calming atmosphere, while brighter colors (like a sunny yellow) can stimulate the mind. "We interact with color constantly—knowingly and unknowingly. It's such a beautiful, powerful tool that we all have that we kind of forget about and take for granted," color therapist Walaa AlMuhaiteeb once shared with mbg.

"You're going to need to get some extra light fixtures if you haven't got [them] already, or if you've got them, but they're old and the light bulbs are out of date, they may need to be replaced," says Rosenthal. 

You may think your lights work just fine, but it's easy for your brain to become adjusted to dingy lighting—you might be shocked by how much brighter your space seems after a quick bulb change. 

Rosenthal also recommends relying on light therapy via sun lamps to help brighten your mood. "When you sit in front of a bright light, you can see an effect within minutes—certainly by an hour," he notes.