It is remarkable the positive impact that natural light can have on your physical and mental wellbeing, yet it is an area that is often massively overlooked by people who often spend most of their time cooped up inside whether this is in the office or back at home. Making a small effort to get more natural light each day could have a big impact on many areas of your life so it is something that should be seriously considered.
Physical Health Benefits
When the skin is exposed to natural light it will absorb vitamin D which is vital for wellbeing and can reduce the risk of heart disease, various cancers and weight gain. In addition to this, natural light is also important for natural sleep/wake cycle which means that a lack of natural light could make it harder to fall asleep at night which could bring a whole host of physical and mental health issues. Not only this, but enough natural light will negate the need for artificial lighting or dimly lit spaces which can cause people to strain their eyes and get migraines.
Mental Health Benefits
Exposure to natural light can also help people to feel much happier, brighter and more alert. Those that spend time in dimly lit rooms without natural light often feel gloomy and very tired which can lead to stress and other mental health issues. Additionally, as mentioned, getting enough natural light can also promote healthy sleep which is crucial for mental health.
Getting More Natural Light
So, how can you get more natural light? This may seem difficult if you work somewhere without many windows and/or if it gets dark early, but there are always things that you can do. A few of the best options involve going outside during daylight hours for a 15-minute walk each day or sitting near windows when indoors.
Another clever trick is to add more mirrors to your home and/or work environment so that the natural light reflects around the room and creates a much brighter space. Similarly, painting the walls light colours can have a similar impact. If you still struggle to get enough sunlight then you could also take a Vitamin D supplement to make sure that you are getting enough each day.
Natural light can have a huge impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. Sadly, a large percentage of people do not get enough because they spend so much of the day indoors and/or it gets dark so early during the winter months. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to increase the amount of natural light that you get each day which could make a big difference to your life and help you to feel happier and more alert.
