TV technology for sunny days – and summer sensitivity

TV and daylight – can you have your cake and watch it?

It’s all very well banging on about windows and daylight, but what if you want to watch TV?

For lots of older adults, it’s a vital part of their day and can even be good for your sense of connection and purpose  – as long as you actively choose what you watch rather than simply use it to while away the long hours before bedtime – Daily TV Use and Meaning in Life Among Older Adults: The Moderating Role of Selective and Compensatory TV Use.

But however you decide what to watch, the real problem is that you’re still sitting down, not talking to anyone –  more than 3.5 hours in front of the box every day increases your risk of cognitive decline – Television viewing and cognitive decline in older age: findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. 

So you might as well make sure it’s a great experience when you do park up in your favourite chair.

1. Reduce reflections – place the TV at right angles to the window and add a sheer curtain or blind  to reduce glare without cutting out all the light.
2. Position the chair directly in front of the screen and experiment with the viewing distance to get the best view for the screen type and your eyes – Curved TVs improved watching experience when display curvature radii approached viewing distances: Effects of display curvature radius, viewing distance, and lateral viewing position on TV watching experience.
3. Consider investing in a matt or a glossy screen to suit your room and viewing needs – this fascinating blog explores the trade-offs – Reflection Handling Isn’t Just About A TV Being Matte Or Glossy.

While you’re thinking about the TV screen – and adding some sheer curtains to cut down the glare, consider adding an external speaker or bar to improve the quality of sound, essential for speech intelligibility, music and sports – Speech Quality Improvement of TV-Sets for Hearing-Impaired Older Adults.

Summer sensitivity 

Although we mostly live ‘unplugged’ from the shifting day length, our biology still reflects the seasons.

You’re less sensitive to evening light in the long days of summer than you are in the winter – Seasonal Variation in the Responsiveness of the Melanopsin System to Evening Light: Why We Should Report Season When Collecting Data in Human Sleep and Circadian Studies.

You’re slightly less likely to suffer from migraines too – perhaps linked ot increased Vitamin D – Higher Circulating Vitamin D Levels Are Associated With Decreased Migraine Risk: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

You’re also likely to have a faster metabolism as the longer days change your eating habits – Seasonal light hours modulate peripheral clocks and energy metabolism in mice.