A lack of exposure to natural light is known to impact our physical health and psychological wellness negatively. Unfortunately, many of us spend much of our lives indoors, close to 90%, according to some researchers.
A lack of natural light is a modern problem that our ancestors will not have incurred, with much of their lives spent outdoors, farming, gathering, and hunting. It is only in the last century, with the invention of electric lighting, working from home, and indoor interests, pursuits, and entertainment such as television, video gaming, and the internet, that most of our waking hours are spent indoors.
Here we look at the benefits of having more natural light in the home and how you can increase natural light in your home.
The Physical & Mental Benefits Of Sunlight
Exposure to sunlight natural light helps our bodies produce vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in promoting healthy sleep patterns and improving circadian rhythms, which help your focus and feel happiness. Vitamin D is also involved in the body’s processes that produce strong bones. This is particularly important for infants and children, with the vitamin helping young bodies absorb calcium.
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to many adverse conditions such as multiple sclerosis, obesity, and depression. While taking supplements can help, it is possible to ingest too much. When your body gets light exposure, it produces its own vitamin D and stops producing it when levels are just right, preventing issues caused by having too much calcium in our blood.
How To Increase Natural Light In Your Home
It is unlikely that you can change your lifestyle to an extent where most of your time is spent outdoors. However, you can bring more daylight into your indoor space with windows such as roof lanterns, or with large French doors.
The right windows make a huge difference to the amount of daylight that comes into your home, and there are extra benefits that financially make them a worthwhile investment. As more sunlight enters your home, you heat the space with solar gain, reducing your energy bills. Furthermore, special coatings on the glazing help retain heat within the home, further saving you money on your gas or electric bill.
If your home is prone to mould or mildew, which thrives in damp and dark rooms, then you have another reason to increase the natural light in your home. Sunlight helps prevent spores from taking hold and windows that offer the best ventilation help improve air quality and reduce moisture levels.
If you are looking to bring more natural light into your home, contact our team on 01922 214838 to discuss your options. We provide free site surveys, advice, and no-obligation quotes.