Sure, work can be crushing and emotionally draining, but the actual building you work in could be making things worse. Turns out a lack of natural sunlight can have seriously harmful effects on your wellbeing.
Here’s Five Fast Facts About Workplace Lighting:
- ☀️Science! - Increased sunlight exposure increases your brain’s production of the positive mood-enhancing drug serotonin. And that means the less sunlight you’re exposed to, the worse you’re going to feel.
- 🌤️ Bright and Shiny - A 2011 study found that workers with an outside view with sunlight took 6.5% fewer sick days, and experienced an 84% drop in headaches, eye strain and blurred vision.
- 💡 Illuminating Study - Forget gym memberships or free food, a Harvard study shows that natural lighting is the number one benefit they’d like in their office!
- 😶🌫️ In the Shadows - When asked, a third of employees feel they don’t get enough natural sunlight in the office. 47% say they feel tired or very tired from the absence of natural light and 43% report feeling gloomy in general
- 🔧What to Do? - Getting your company to do something about it is another problem entirely. While they can install smart lighting or natural daylight bulbs, it’s not going to be very cost effective and they’ll likely turn down your request. Your best bet (other than going outside on the regular) is to get a desktop “happy light” that’s a personal source of healthy light.
🔥Bottom line: Who would have thought that entering a building in the dark of the early morning and leaving in the dark of the evening would have such a negative effect on employees? That’s sarcasm. It’s obvious and the data backs it up. Unfortunately, you’re the only one who has the power to fix this. So stop reading this and go get out in the sun!
Do you need more sunlight at work?
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