Philips HF3550/60 User Manual page 13

In modern society we have the capability to
prolong the light part of the day by using artificial
lighting. Our bodies are not synchronized to the
rhythm of the sun, but to our lifestyle. Many
people extend their daily activities towards the
evening, delay their bedtime and, in case of work
or school obligations the next day, shorten their
sleep. Insufficient sleep has an impact on daily
functioning, and it is often only in weekends that
people try to compensate for their shortage of
sleep.
Reducing the amount of light during the last few
hours before bedtime, and exposure to bright light
in the early morning hours can support the timely
onset of sleep and bring about more alertness and
energy right from the start of the day.
By maintaining a regular lifestyle with only small
variations in bedtimes, sufficient light exposure
during the day, low light exposure during the
evening and darkness during the night, you can
achieve a good balance between rest and activity
and reduce a variety of health risks.
4d. Light and mood
In countries with long winters, many people
experience loss of energy and low spirits due to
lack of light. This phenomenon is known as the
winter blues. Daily exposure to a 'light bath' from a
Philips light therapy product can restore the well-
being and energy levels that you feel in summer.
Two types of products are available: Philips
EnergyLight uses bright white light, and the more
innovative and portable Philips goLITE BLU uses
blue light.
4e. Clinically proven benefits
It has been clinically proven that waking up with
light improves your well-being. Several studies
have shown that the Philips Wake-up Light truly
improves the quality of waking up.
References: Gimenéz MC et al., Effects of artificial
dawn on subjective ratings of sleep inertia and dim
light melatonin onset. Chronobiol. Int. 10;27:1219.