How much time do you spend indoors on a daily basis? If you’re like most people, you could be spending up to 90% of your day inside. Have you ever stopped to think about the potential effects this could have on your health and wellbeing? It’s no secret that your body needs exposure to light in order to thrive, but not all light is created equal. Specifically, exposure to artificial light sources (such as those found indoors) could be harming you, and you may not be getting enough natural light for optimal health.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-19/antidepressants-less-effective-for-night-owls/9601560
Potential Dangers of Artificial Light Exposure
Artificial light, such as that emitted from televisions, computer screens, and even light bulbs, can have a number of detrimental effects on your health. Specifically, research is finding that LED light (also known as blue light) can cause your vision to deteriorate. This is especially dangerous among those who spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen each day. Furthermore, LED lighting is non-infrared, meaning it does not come with the benefits that heat-generated incandescent bulbs do.
LED lighting also emits radiation, which can increase your chances of developing certain cancers, metabolic disorders, and other health problems related to mitochondrial function.
Health Benefits of Natural Light
On the other hand, exposing yourself to higher amounts of natural light can have opposite effects on your health and wellness. At first thought, this may go against what you have been told about natural UV light from the sun. And while it’s true that prolonged sun exposure without any protection can increase your risk for skin cancer and other health issues, the simple fact is that most people aren’t getting enough natural light on a daily basis—largely due to the amount of time spent indoors.
You see, your body is designed to take in sunlight wavelengths and use them to your benefit. Specifically, natural light exposure has been found to reduce symptoms associated with medical conditions such as:
- fibromyalgia
- hypothyroidism
- acne
- osteoarthritis
- age-related macular degeneration
- and many more
Not to mention, exposure to natural light helps your body release “feel-good” chemicals, such as serotonin, which can boost your energy levels and your overall mood.
How to Safely Increase Natural Light Exposure
So, how can you begin increasing your exposure to natural light in a way that is safe and convenient for you? After all, it may not be practical for you to spend more time outdoors, especially if your work schedule doesn’t allow it.
One option to consider is that of installing a Solatube skylight in your home that utilises Tubular Daylighting Technology. These specially designed skylights allow for pure, natural light of the sun’s rays to enter your home without transferring heat in the process. This is a great way to increase your own exposure to pure, natural light without necessarily having to spend more time outdoors. Moreover, unlike traditional skylights, you won’t have to worry about leakage, glare, or other common issues.
Solatube is proud to be the leader in Tubular Daylighting Technology, and all of our installers are fully certified. In most cases, we can have one of our skylights installed in as little as two hours.
Now that you have a better understanding of how natural light can improve your overall health, what’s stopping you from finding out more about installing a Solatube skylight in your home? Contact our team at Solatube today to request an installation quote or find out more about our range of products. Call us or your local premier Solatube dealer – such as Skylights Sydney – to discuss your options today!