With daylight saving officially over, many Australians, especially those in the southern hemisphere, are starting to feel the impact of shorter and darker days. The lack of daylight leads to sluggish mornings, and dampened mood and overall well-being. The good news is that there are simple, science-backed strategies to bring more natural light into your home, to make sure you are getting enough sun throughout the day.
Why Daylight Feels Scarce After Daylight Saving Ends
The Science of Light and Mood
The benefits of natural light on mental and physical well-being can’t be overstated. Exposure to daylight helps keep our circadian rhythms regulated, supports healthy sleep and boosts vitamin D production, all of which affect mood and overall well-being.
Without enough sunlight, people are prone to developing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that comes as a result of not getting enough daylight exposure.
This is why it is important to improve the quality of indoor lighting, not just through artificial lighting but also by incorporating natural light into the home. This can be done through installing windows or skylights, such as Solatube’s tubular skylight, which maximises daylight dispersion in the home.
What Changes After Daylight Saving?
We may gain an hour of sleep when the clocks go back, but we lose a more valuable daylight hour in winter evenings. With shorter winter days, it often gets dark by the time people finish work, making daylight feel even more scarce.
Smart Ways to Maximise Daylight at Home in Winter
Reconsider Furniture Placement
Sometimes homeowners don’t need to go as far as installing new windows or making big structural changes, but rather just changing around the current layout of the home. This can be done by moving workspaces around, reading chairs or dining tables to soak up more daylight during the day. Switching to light-filtering curtains can also improve how much light is coming through the windows.
Clean Your Window (Yes, Really) & Rethink Window Design
Cleaning your window might seem like an afterthought, but a buildup of grime, dust or fingerprints can shift how much daylight is coming into the home. Making sure to give your windows a good clean at the beginning of winter daylight hours in Australia is best practice.
Install Skylights in Low-Light Areas
Skylights are one of the most effective ways to bring more daylight into your home, especially during winter. Unlike windows, they can deliver light directly from above, even into areas that would otherwise remain dim.
Solatube skylights, also known as tubular daylight systems, are particularly powerful in winter. Their compact design allows them to fit into small internal spaces such as hallways or bathrooms, and their advanced technology is designed to maximise light dispersion even on overcast days or the shortest day of the year.
How Solatube Skylights Make the Most of Winter Light
Solatube skylights aren’t your traditional skylight; their advanced tubular technology is designed to maximise light dispersion and daylight hours without compromising on temperature. Here is how they differ from traditional skylights:
Advanced Light-Capturing Dome Technology
Solatube’s advanced dome technology captures low-angle winter sunlight from all directions, even the December solstice in the northern hemisphere, when the sun barely rises. Unlike flat skylights that struggle in winter conditions, this dome actively redirects the available light into the tubing system, maximising brightness throughout the day.
High-Reflectivity Tubing That Outshines the Rest
Another key point of difference is Solatube’s Spectralight® Infinity Tubing, which delivers up to 99.7% reflectivity. This high-efficiency, super reflective tubing means light can be delivered into rooms that don’t receive direct sunlight at all. Even when it’s cloudy, you still get powerful, natural light indoors, reducing the need for artificial lights during daylight hours.
Winter Daylight Tips for Your Daily Routine
Shorter daylight hours and early sunsets don’t mean you have to live in the dark. There are several small daily habits you can take to ensure you are getting enough sunlight every day.
Prioritise Morning Light Exposure
Getting exposure to sunrise light at the start of your day with a morning walk, coffee on the porch or standing outside for even just a short time can greatly improve your mood and help regulate your body clock.
Take Light Breaks During Work-From-Home Days
If you work from home, consider moving your desk near a window or skylight to help you get enough light exposure during the day. Taking breaks outside can greatly reduce eye strain, improve concentration and give you the extra boost of energy you need to continue your day.
Go Outdoors When the Sun Is Highest
While winter usually means it is dark by the time you finish work, try taking your lunch break outside when the sun is at its peak. Studies show that even having 10-15 minutes of natural light can do wonders for your mental and physical well-being.
Fun fact: In some parts of East Asia, traditional winter solstice celebrations include eating pomegranates and watermelon to symbolise health and balance as they go into the winter months.
Getting enough daylight hours in winter is all about making smart design and lifestyle choices. While we can’t control the Gregorian calendar, grey mornings and early sunsets, we can change the way we capture and bring daylight into the home.
Whether it is through using skylights like Solatube tubular technology or changing our daily routine, making small changes can greatly improve mental and physical well-being over the winter months.
Want to learn how Solatube skylights can brighten your home during winter? Reach out to your local Solatube Premier Dealer for your skylight installation today.
