Survey Finds Daylight Affects Sleep, Productivity

Sixty percent of Americans believe daylight affects their productivity. Fifty-five percent think exposure to daylight affects their sleep.

That’s the finding of a new study.

The global survey was commissioned by global skylight manufacturer Velux for a report called The Indoor Generation, aimed at highlighting the importance of living in healthy homes and the role fresh air and natural light play in them.

Initial findings revealed that over half of those surveyed believe they spend between six-10 hours outside each day.  But findings from the US Environmental Protection Agency show that on average people only get outside for about 2.5 hours each day – meaning they spend 90% of their day inside.

Our body clocks are informed by the different levels of daylight in a 24-hour period, we need plenty of light during the day and darkness at night to ensure a good night’s sleep. 

“Exposure to light-dark cycles is an absolutely crucial part of our biology and that’s due to the role of light in resetting our circadian clock each and every day,” said Dr. Steven Lockley, neuroscientist and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. “It resets our clocks to be in tune with environmental time, and light is the primary time-cue. If you’re exposed to higher light levels and bluer light in the daytime, then you get a better stimulant effect. You’ll be more alert and have better cognitive function; potentially be more productive at work and so on.”

Some of the consequences caused by poor sleep include depression, diabetes, heart disease and weight gain. Other side effects linked to poor sleep include higher risk of work accidents, reduced concentration and low mood and difficulties in making decisions.

Daylight can also help enhance productivity

As many as 63% of people polled globally in the YouGov survey said that daylight influences their productivity. The link between daylight and office productivity has also been widely investigated and various studies show that daylight and a view of the outside increase performance at work.

Workers in a call center were processing calls 6% to 12% faster when they had the best possible view versus those with no view, one study found. Other office workers, meanwhile, were found to perform 10% to 25% better on tests of mental function and memory recall when they had the best possible view versus those with no view.

Top tips for improving your sleep

  • Increased exposure to daylight will help you sleep at night – sitting near a window at work or school and making an effort to get outside more will also help with this
  • Eliminate light from the outside to enter your bedroom at night
  • Sleep in a cooler bedroom
  • Avoid looking at electronic devices (TVs, smartphones / tablets) which distribute blue light before going to sleep – this can trick the brain into staying alert at the wrong time of day
  • Establish a good bed time routine – read a book instead of having more screen time
  • Give children a red or orange night light if they are afraid of the dark as these are the least disruptive to sleep

SOURCE;  Velox Skylights, Dana Haydock, 704-332-9071, dhaydock@wrayward.com

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