If you’re struggling to wake up in the morning, a quick way to boost your energy is by opening your curtains or blinds. Sunlight is a natural energy and mood supplement because it increases your body’s production of serotonin. This is why some homeowners have skylight contractors install Velux skylights in their bedroom—or directly above their bed.
Natural light has many benefits, from regulating your body clock to counteracting depressive symptoms.
Natural light regulate your body clocks
Your body clock uses light to know when to wake and sleep. That’s why sleep experts recommend you stop looking at your phone, laptop, and TV about an hour before bedtime. The blue-light of these devices decreases your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for making you feel sleepy. Bright artificial lights can also affect your melatonin production.
In addition to reducing your device use before sleep, you could increase your exposure to natural light. Before the world turned toward digital spaces and artificial light, people used the sun’s position to guide their day. When the sun set it was time to go home and prepare for sleep. Nowadays people have the convenience of flipping a switch and staying awake as long as we like, but at the detriment of personal health.
To counteract sleep delay, try having natural light within reach. Wide open windows or well-placed skylights can help your body wake in the morning and sleep at night. It’ll also help your kids feel sleepier quicker so you can get to bed sooner.
Natural light reduces strains and headaches
Optimal levels of daylight can reduce eyestrain. That means less inflammation of the eyelids, less blurring vision, and fewer headaches. It’s important to control the light with window treatments, blinds, or shades to prevent overwhelming brightness. Another benefit of optimal daylight is it doesn’t flicker like artificial lighting, which can trigger migraines or photoepilepsy.
Natural light counteracts Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD is a season-based depression that affects about 5% of adults in the United States. During seasons of low daylight, people with SAD experience depressed moods, lessened interest in activities they usually enjoy, changes in appetite and sleep, and other depressive symptoms. One of the treatments used for SAD is light therapy, which involves sitting or working near a light box.
Another way to treat SAD is by spending time outdoors and taking the light available. This is beneficial even for people who don’t have SAD, as sunlight can boost your mood and increase your energy. Regardless if you have depression, spending more of your indoor time near windows or under skylights will improve your mood.
Natural light can easily be increased
You can immediately increase your natural light intake by drawing open your curtains, blinds, and working next to a window. But for a significant and permanent increase, you can install skylights that allow natural light to fill your home from above.
Mares & Dow are your local skylight contractors
Contact the skylight contractors at Mares & Dow Construction and Skylights today to install the latest VELUX models. With over 40 years of experience, we offer the best in skylight installation.
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