Have you ever found yourself in a situation where after hours of working or studying, your eyes start to hurt because of bad lighting? Lighting can have either a negative or positive effect on your mood, and by extension affect your productivity levels.
You might have been blaming other factors on your low productivity when it could have just been the bad lighting in your room! Here are some of the ways in which good lighting can help you improve the way you work, as well as your mood.
Natural light can make you feel happier.
Sunlight has a very nice way of making us feel happy and refreshed. Studies have shown that natural sunlight increases serotonin levels in the body. Serotonin is a hormone which helps you feel happy. There is actually a condition called SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder, illustrating that people get depressed during the winter because there is little sunlight during the day.
Without being exposed to the sun, your serotonin levels can drop and as a result, you can be at a higher risk of developing major depression or SAD. As a result, your mood will be far worse and you will not be as productive, as you won’t feel like doing anything to feel better.
Even during the winter, where light rays are short and sunlight is not that easy to find, there is a way for you to benefit from good lighting and improve your mood. The solution comes from a device which is called a light therapy box.What this device does is essentially replicate natural sunlight so that your brain believes it is the real thing. In return, your body will start producing more serotonin and make you feel a lot happier. If you live in a part of the world where sunlight is scarce or you simply spend a lot of time indoors due to your work or lifestyle, investing in one of these devices could really help you see a major improvement in your mood and productivity levels.
You will be able to sleep better.
While many of us know that sleeping with the lights on is not good for your body or sleep cycle, you might have to keep in mind that good lighting can be extremely helpful when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. Bright, natural lights during the day are just as important as darkness during the night in order to get some well-deserved rest.
Getting enough sleep and sleeping on a tight schedule will help you see many different benefits in your everyday life. First of all, the less tired you are, the more productive you will be. Along with that, you will be in a better mood and you will be able to concentrate more on your work and responsibilities.
The simplest thing you can do in order to sleep better at night is to just try and get out for 20 minutes every morning while the sun is out. Having enough light during the day in your working space will help you stay awake and continue feeling energetic and productive for the entirety of your day.
Your eyes will be less tired.
When compared to other lights, blue light is the one that mimics natural sunlight the most and therefore makes your brain believe you should be alert and focused. While this might seem like it could really help you stay focused on your work, it will most likely just end up making your eyes tired. As a result, you may get a headache, causing a worsening in mood and less productivity.
Blue light is emitted from the digital screens of the devices you use like your laptop, smartphone, and iPad. If you are used to working on your computer for many hours or your work demands it, you should make sure that you are either wearing glasses or using a helpful app such as F.Lux for your laptop or smartphone which will help it emit a softer, more yellow light, depending on the time of day you are using your electronic device.
“A less intense, more natural light can really help you avoid glaring surfaces and distracting dark shadows. It can help change your concentration levels and give you a chance to be more productive without much effort,” suggests Margaret Reid, writer for TheWordPoint.
It can help you create a more productive atmosphere.
Another benefit of good lighting in your everyday life comes in the form of creating an atmosphere which will allow you to be more focused and productive. As we mentioned earlier, when compared to other lights, blue light is the one that will make you feel more alert but also make your eyes tired.
On the other hand though, a dim light will also strain your eyes and cause a headache, as you will have to put more effort into reading and adjusting your eyes to the different lighting between your screen, office space, and outside world.
Once again in this case, natural lighting might just be the best option for you. If you are setting up your home working space or work in an office with people, it would be best to set up your desk near a window where you will be able to get all the benefits of natural lighting. If that is not possible though, you should definitely invest in getting the right light bulbs, which will help you be more energetic and focused. There are some light bulbs called “Daylight” bulbs which pretty much mimic natural daylight. In order to use these correctly, you should make sure that you place them closer to your desk, parallel to the window.
By using the right light bulbs in your office, you will be able to feel more productive as your eyes and head will not feel too alert or too tired. Good lighting in the workplace will help you create a productive atmosphere which will keep all employees happy and focused on their tasks.
Getting enough natural light is always important.
Good lighting is very important when it comes to getting enough rest and living a healthy lifestyle. It allows you to be more productive and happy. Even twenty minutes of natural sunlight a day can be enough to make a big impact on your sleep schedule and help you sleep better and improve the way you feel in the long run. Good lighting will also help you focus on your work, be more alert and improve your mood. Investing in a good quality light source might just be what helps you change the way you function on a day-to-day basis, helping you become more productive and positive.
