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Not only do we need spiritual light but we need the physical light for our mental health.  Light rays penetrate through our eyes and stimulate a part of the brain.   It is therefore important to have a sufficient amount during winter.  This is one factor that helps fight depression.   It is of course possible to buy special lights.   But it is also possible to simply use more lamps.    We have been accustomed, educated, trained to turn off lights to save energy.  This is true in the summer but not in winter.  In fact, having more light in winter will cost nothing.   Why?  Because light is transformed into heat and contributes to warm up our home.     Any form of energy or light whether mechanical or electrical eventually turns into calorific energy.  When we heat our house, we transform oil or gas or electricity into heat.  When we turn on a light, all energy consumed is ultimately transformed into heat.   And this extraordinary invention called a thermostat will just stop our furnace when the programmed temperature is reached.   For our thermostat, no matter the source of heat.   In winter, we can warm up our home with light.    So when we are told: "If you use a particular lamp, you will make a lot of economy," is false.  If we lived in a warm country, it would be true, because we would have to get rid of the extra calories with air conditioning.  But here in Canada, while remaining within reasonable limits, we can use either lamps in winter without much difference.    The light frequencies of the "old" incandescent bulbs are better for our health because they are closer to those of the sun.  But otherwise, it is better to use fluorescent bulbs than to live in darkness.   We should however be careful because these bulbs release a lot of mercury in the environment when they are broken.   It is recommended not to breath vapors and to ventilate immediately.    The new  very economical LED lamps seem to be very interesting.  They are getting more affordable now.   In India, the government distributed to poor households millions of LED bulbs to reduce energy consumption.    When I get home in winter, I turn on all the lights.  I also keep my geraniums well-lit 24h per day.  They bloom all winter.   It is also a simple way to keep plants.   In the summer, I do the opposite, I turn off lights and use mostly fluorescent bulbs.     With this practice, we will stay very bright ... Top

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