Healthful environments: light, wellbeing and the biological clock

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Omschrijving

Look at ways in which everyday environments (offices, schools, clinics, homes, cities) influence our physical and mental health. 

The course will introduce models of wellbeing and mental health and will discuss research relating these to physical contexts and specific environmental characteristics. We will then introduce two important pathways of physical contexts towards mental health: the first being stress (stressors and the physiological and psychological stress response) and the second being and circadian rhythms (including the biological clock, sleep-wake rhythms, and our behaviors and experiences across the 24-h day). This includes both negative consequences as well as pathways towards resilience, recovery, relaxation/restoration, and healthy sleep, relating these to environmental factors or interventions. 

Ultimately, the strongest focus will be on light as one exemplary ambient factor that affects us through all of the above pathways. 

Around these topics we will employ case-based learning (CBL) where you are expected to apply what you have learned. In small groups you perform an in-depth examination of a person, a group or an event and we ask you to formulate a solution to the most pressing issue that arises.  

Case-based project: 

1. Examine the written case description (week 3) 
2. Identify the most important facts, perform measurements, observations and background reading (week 4-6) 
3. Identify the cause/major problem (week 6-7) 
4. Formulate a solution or method of action (week 7-8) 
5. Present your informed in-depth case description & solution and be ready to clarify & justify your presentation in oral group examination 

Doelstellingen

• After the course the student is able to describe the concepts of mental wellbeing, mental health, stress, stressors, circadian rhythms, and visual and non-visual effects of light. 
• After the course the student is able to explain how environmental features contribute to mental health via stress-related mechanisms. 
• After the course the student is able to explain how light features contribute to health and sleep via circadian mechanisms. 
• After the course, the student is able to explore concepts (such as mental well-being, mental health, stress, stressors, circadian rhythms, and visual and non-visual effects of light) in the context of a specific case.
• After the course, the student is able to apply these concepts in formulating a justified direction for a solution based on a case description.

Beoordelingsmethode