The effect natural light can have on your mental health

When you work in an office, it's easy to let work inside dark premises consume your everyday life. This turns out to lead to some serious psychological problems - and is not always an easy problem to fix. We at Fågg have therefore put together a list of the benefits of implementing natural light in the office, as well as in the home office. Among the effects we find increased productivity, improved communication skills, reduced stress levels and overall better mental health. Why not discover how Fågg's products elegantly invite natural light into your life?

We now spend more time inside than outside.

As technology becomes increasingly embedded in our lives and work, we spend more time indoors than outdoors. This is a problem because the sun is one of the most important natural sources of light in our lives. It helps the body regulate circadian rhythms, helping us wake up in the morning – and it's also responsible for maintaining healthy skin, hair, vision and even mental health!

In a Nordic environment, there is periodically little sun. To combat the lack of sunlight during the day (and thus reduce the risk of depression), we need to think of smart ways to preserve natural light as our main source of light during the day, while taking into account the privacy and light intensity needed in office landscape.

Work environments with natural light promote productivity and energy levels - a greater sense of well-being.

Natural light is important for both physical and mental health. It can help you sleep better, concentrate more effectively and improve your mood.

Sleep

The evening light can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep by up to 30 minutes! When it comes to sleep quality – which is critical to overall well-being – studies show that those who have consistent exposure to natural light throughout the day have fewer disrupted sleep sequences than those who had no access (those stuck inside an artificial lighted office).

Concentration

Because we spend so much time indoors with computers and phones during our waking hours, it's no surprise that poor work environments contribute greatly to reduced concentration levels in organizations today. If we can ensure that enough natural daylight enters every workplace, this can be avoided!

Research has shown that we perform tasks faster when there is sufficient natural light in an area than when there is none at all; conversely, performing complex tasks in dim conditions can slow us down considerably! This means that using office lighting can effectively improve productivity by allowing workers to focus better without being distracted by excessive brightness levels or poor light quality.

Good lighting conditions and concentration go hand in hand.

Studies have shown that employees who work under natural light are more productive and creative than those who work in an office with artificial lighting. This is because natural light helps us focus on tasks, making you more productive and efficient. The same thing happens when you try to sleep: the less light there is in your bedroom, the longer it takes your body to fall asleep (and stay asleep).

Finally, studies show that natural daylight encourages creativity by stimulating brain activity at certain wavelengths of blue or greenish color—a fact that may explain why artists often prefer to paint or draw indoors rather than outdoors.

A better night's sleep:

The amount of natural light we are exposed to during the day can affect our circadian rhythm, which further controls the body's sleep-wake cycle. If you are exposed to too much artificial or blue light in the evening and not enough in the morning, your body can have trouble regulating its own internal clock - and this can affect how well you sleep.

In fact, a study published in 2011 found that participants who received less than five hours of sunlight per day measured higher levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) than those who received, on average, more sunlight during their lifetime. This may be because a lack of exposure to natural daylight increases stress or anxiety – which can lead us into an even deeper sense of drowsiness when it's time for bed!

Our internal sleep clocks depend on natural light.

The body's internal clock tells us when to wake up and when to sleep. If, on the other hand, exposure to sunlight is limited or if we stay in dark surroundings for large parts of the day, this can affect our ability to produce the sleep hormone melatonin , which makes us tired at night.

A study published in 2015 reported that exposure from fluorescent lights to indoor workers at night significantly reduced their melatonin levels, causing them to be more tired during the day than those who had only been exposed to daylight.

Sunlight makes you happy!

Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, which can help improve your mood and energy levels. Vitamin D deficiency can cause depression, so it's no surprise that sunlight has been shown to reduce symptoms such as sadness and anxiety. If you work indoors all day, taking some time outside in natural light each day can be beneficial for both your mental and physical health.

Light can have a positive effect on your mood. If you're feeling down and need a boost, try sitting in a brighter room while you work – this will help you see what's around you better, which will help keep your attention focused on other things.

The ray of sunshine that fights stress at work.

Sunlight also helps you reduce stress hormones (increases serotonin), and the good sleep helps improve blood flow to the brain – all of which make us feel better when we wake up!

In winter, especially in Norway when there is less sunlight and it is more difficult to get outside, you can try going for a walk during lunch. If you can't do that, spend some time by a window at work or at home. Try to get outside for at least 10 minutes every day; Even if it's cold outside, sunglasses will help protect your eyes from UV rays while allowing you to enjoy the benefits of sunlight!

Get more natural light in your office.

The first step to getting more natural light in your office is to make sure you have enough windows. A good rule of thumb: If you can see the sky, you'll be able to take advantage of daylight! If you are afraid of visibility, you can consider installing a Smartfilm on the outside of the window. This is where Fågg comes in. The frosted state of the Smartfilm allows a beautiful play of natural light, and prevents visibility. When it's time for a break, with a single click you can make the window transparent again, and enjoy direct sunlight and the view of the surroundings.

There are other simple tricks that can help increase the amount of perceived light in a room. For example: set up a table with plants or flowers; hang art (or just posters) on the walls; use bright and fresh colors deliberately! - the idea here is that they should shift their attention from dark, isolated rooms to bright and inviting work environments.

Daylight in the workplace: better mental health, productivity and quality of life.

Natural light is good for your mental health. It's no secret that the quality of your sleep affects how you feel and perform during the day. Natural light can help you improve the quality of your sleep, making you more rested and more relaxed. If you want to bring more natural light into a room, consider adding windows or skylights nearby or above a desk or table (or even just overhead). If necessary, you can replace curtains and closed rooms with window surfaces covered by Fågg Smartfilm. These options will allow employees to have less artificial lighting while still being able to see outside when they need to. Not least, it is a plus with a good mood and fresh surroundings for everyone who works!

If you're not already using natural light in your office or home office, it might be time to think about it. Even if it's just a few minutes before meetings or lunch breaks! It can be all the difference between lasting productivity and heavy working days with the never-empty cup of coffee.