A survey of 1,614 employees reflected that more than half of the workforce thinks natural light and views of the outdoors is the most important office perk, ranking higher than on-site cafeterias, fitness centers, medical care, and child care, according to a recent study by Future Workplace and View Dynamic Glass.
The use of natural light in designed spaces also referred to as daylighting in the practice of architecture, supports the visual demands and increase the well-being of building occupants. Organizations, such as World Green Building Council and International Well Building Institute, have conducted numerous research on how natural elements can increase the well-being, health, and productivity of occupants who spend at least 90% of their lives indoors.
Why is natural light the number one desired office perk, and why more employers need to increase the use of natural light in their workspaces?
Natural Light Increases Employees Productivity
Scientists at the Lighting Research Center (LRC) have reported that daylit environments increase occupant productivity and comfort, and provide the mental and visual stimulation necessary to regulate human circadian rhythms.
Higher occupant productivity and satisfaction are likely to result from the better visual quality that is provided by good daylighting design. Daylight provides the truest and most vivid color rendition of all available light sources. Evidence has shown that the high concentrate of blue wavelengths in daylight helps the eye to see more detail with greater precision, especially at lower light levels.
Mental stimulation is perhaps the biggest benefit of natural light. Daylight reinforces natural circadian rhythms and the production of neural transmitters, such as serotonin. Higher illumination levels have been associated with greater mental acuity and the simple variability of daylight may be key to mental stimulation.
Natural Light Makes Employees Happy
Scientists believe that serotonin, the “happy” hormone, increases when people are exposed to natural daylight longer than living under artificial lighting and in darkness. In fact, many psychiatrists recommend that people should get out in the natural daylight for at least 30 minutes a day to help prevent or treat depression. Employees also enjoy a lower stress level when exposed to proper daylight, and exposure to natural daylight on a regular basis can reduce anxiety and improve moods.
Brief indoor exposure to natural bright light is also found to decrease afternoon sleepiness, which daylighting could be used in work settings where napping is not permitted.
Increasing exposure to natural light will boost employee moods at workplaces - where most people spend at least 2000 hours every year. Better moods will help increase employee morale, decrease office conflict, and increase overall happiness.
Natural Light Boosts Employees Health
It is apparent that exposure to natural light has many mental health benefits for employees. Studies have also shown that access to natural sunlight has a number of great physical health benefits for people.
Vitamin D is essential to the immune system and the major source of vitamin D is exposure to natural sunlight. Therefore, access to natural sunlight can help boost employees’ immune systems so that they can fight off disease more effectively. As the Vitamin D produced from sun exposure is absorbed, it can help strengthen bones in the skeleton. Studies have found that people with more exposure to sunlight have less brittle bones and better postures. Not all areas of an office can be exposed to sunlight due to the orientation of the building and the types of glazing. Going on a short outdoor walk around the block and enjoy a break from the screen under the natural sunlight can improve employees’ health and wellness.
Daylight also lowers cholesterol naturally and lowers the resting pulse rate of the heart to improve cardiovascular health. Sensible sun exposure can help boost metabolism, increasing the rate at which people burn calories.
Maximize Natural Light in Your Workspace
lumenomics specializes in lighting design plans that include full-spectrum natural light as a layer to your photometric reports. lumenomics collaborates with design, construction, facility managers, and occupants to select the best lighting system - top lighting, side lighting, user interface controls with master scenes, and electric light fixtures when natural lighting is not available.
lumenomics lighting design team includes lighting certified (LC) accredited professionals and experienced skilled trade contractors to help its clients make the best illumination choices from performance and code compliance to aesthetic appeal, operation, and long-term maintenance and ownership.
As a single point of contact for human-centric illumination for commercial offices and workplaces, lumenomics assists with drawings and specifications at every stage of the design process - budget and pre-design, schematic design, working drawings, construction drawings, and contract administration.
Want to maximize natural light in your workspaces? Contact a team lu natural daylight expert today