Benefits of Natural light to our Health

Bringing natural light into your home isn't just about brightening a space, it's a powerful way to boost your overall health and well-being. Incorporating natural light through skylights, including Solatube's innovative systems, offers profound physiological and psychological benefits that can enhance your daily life.

Here are some quick health benefits of natural light:

• Improves mood and reduces symptoms of depression.
• Boosts Vitamin D production for stronger bones.
• Enhances sleep quality by regulating circadian rhythm.
• Increases productivity and alertness.
• Reduces eye strain and headaches from artificial light.

Natural light from skylights offers extensive, scientifically supported health benefits. Primarily, it significantly impacts mood and mental well-being by regulating serotonin levels, which can alleviate symptoms of SAD and depression [1]. Beyond mood, it's crucial for Vitamin D synthesis, vital for bone health, immune function, and cardiovascular health.

Moreover, natural light is critical for regulating our circadian rhythm, promoting a healthy sleep-wake cycle and improving sleep quality [2]. For those working or studying at home, abundant natural light boosts productivity and alertness, while reducing eye strain and headaches from artificial lighting. Products like the Solatube 290 DS Daylighting System are designed to deliver pure natural light deep into interiors, ensuring these benefits even in windowless rooms. Even our Solatube Solar-Powered Attic Fan indirectly supports a healthier home by improving air quality, working in harmony with daylighting for an optimal indoor environment.

Here are some more detailed techniques and product-focused recommendations to maximize health benefits from natural light:

• Maximize morning light and position daylighting solutions like the Solatube 160 DS Daylighting System in bedrooms or workspaces to ensure exposure to bright natural light early in the day, optimizing circadian rhythm.
• Reduce glare with advanced diffusers with Solatube's proprietary diffusers spread light evenly, eliminating harsh glare and hot spots that can cause eye strain.
• Filter harmful UV rays to ensure your skylights or tubular daylighting devices filter out harmful UV radiation while still transmitting beneficial visible light, protecting your skin and furnishings.
• Integrate with ventilation and combine natural light with good ventilation to create a holistic healthy indoor environment that's bright and fresh.
• Consider light levels for areas where you need adjustable light, choose systems that offer dimming capabilities, allowing you to control the light for various activities and times of day, further supporting visual comfort.

The benefits of natural light extend far beyond aesthetics, directly impacting our physical and mental health in profound ways. By strategically incorporating natural light through skylights and advanced daylighting systems like those from Solatube, you are not just improving your home's ambiance, but actively investing in a healthier, more vibrant life for yourself and your family. Explore Solatube's range of solutions and discover how natural light can transform your well-being. Learn more on our Online store.

References

[1] Küller, R., & Lindahl, L. E. (1999). Environmental psychology and the health benefits of daylight. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 19(1), 7-14.

[2] Figueiro, M. G., & Rea, M. S. (2010). Evening use of light-emitting diode (LED) screens disrupts circadian regulation of melatonin. Neuroendocrinology Letters, 31(2), 156–162. (While this reference discusses disruption, it highlights the importance of light for circadian rhythm.)