Natural Light
An essential aesthetic component
Hello Aesthetics People!
In the U.S., we just turned our clocks back, which means it gets dark an hour earlier. Regardless of the time adjustment, it is still essential that we get some exposure to natural light. There’s a reason why seasonal depression can occur when the days are shorter. People working traditional “day” jobs spend this time of year going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. It becomes crucial for their well-being to make time to get outside at some point during the day, even for a short walk.
In Harvard Business Review (2018), Jeanne C. Meister claims that over a third of all surveyed workers claim that they do not get enough natural light in their workspace. Specifically, she writes: “47% of employees admit they feel tired or very tired from the absence of natural light or a window at their office, and 43% report feeling gloomy because of the lack of light.”
Are you feeling depressed at work?
Are you feeling more tired than usual?
Taking a walk outside may sometimes feel like it requires too much of your time. However, if the lack of light negatively impacts your work, then the opposite seems true. You can’t afford to avoid going outside and experiencing natural light.
To further highlight the benefits of natural light, Professor Alan Hedge conducted research at Cornell University. He discovered that increase in natural light also increases the health and well-being of employees. “In fact, this research revealed that workers in daylight office environments reported a 51% drop in the incidence of eyestrain, a 63% drop in the incidence of headaches and a 56% reduction in drowsiness.” If employees are more alert and feel better, then it follows that they can perform better. Thus, natural light aids in higher productivity. But it also makes people happier.
So, even during the shorter days, don’t forget to go outside and get some natural light, especially if your workspace doesn’t get as much natural light.
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