Are you getting enough natural light? According to one source, five to 15 minutes is sufficient for many people, while up to half an hour is ideal for dark-skinned people.
While too much of a good thing can cause problems, a deficit of natural light can also cause issues. For instance, insufficient exposure to sunlight can negatively impact your circadian rhythm, making it more difficult to enjoy quality sleep at night. And that can leave you feeling lethargic and unmotivated throughout the day.
That’s one reason to make getting some sunshine every day a priority. And that doesn’t have to mean spending all day outdoors. You can get exposure to natural light in your home, which is one reason to ensure your home has the right type and amount of windows.
For instance, bay or bow windows, picture windows, and double-hung windows are great options for more natural light. If there aren’t enough windows in your home, you can always add more.
Continue reading to see five benefits you’ll get by upping your exposure to natural light.
- You’ll Get Vitamin D
When you get sufficient exposure to natural light, you’ll enjoy your daily dose of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for healthy bone development. If you’re lacking in this vitamin, you may increase your odds of experiencing obesity, depression, and multiple sclerosis.
All you need to get enough vitamin D is enjoy sufficient sunshine. A little bit of natural light goes a long way and can factor into a higher quality of health. While natural light doesn’t provide vitamin D, it gives the human body the capacity to produce this vital vitamin.
- You’ll Focus More Effectively
When you get enough natural light, your concentration and productivity will climb. That can be a game-changer if you have a demanding job where compensation is based on productivity. But even if you get paid a flat salary, you’re more likely to be efficient and productive if you’re well-rested. Remember that natural light can contribute to getting quality sleep, which will help you tackle the challenges of the day and thrive in even the most stressful work environments.
- You’ll Experience Better Mental Health
Sufficient exposure to natural light will positively impact your mental health. One study focuses on half a million adults between the ages of 37 and 73 years old who spent around two and a half hours outdoors daily. According to a report, each extra hour spent soaking up natural light outdoors was connected to a corresponding decrease in the odds of developing long-term depression.
- You’ll Conserve Energy at Home
Natural light can improve energy efficiency in your home — making your residence more sustainable and environmentally friendly. For instance, if you open the blinds, drapes, or other window coverings on a sunny day, you won’t necessarily have to turn on your light fixtures.
On chillier days with lots of sunshine outdoors, opening the windows can help keep your home warmer so that you don’t have to crank the HVAC unit up too high.
- You’ll Get Out and About
When you get outdoors for natural light, you’ll have more opportunities to engage in physical activity. You need a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly or a minimum of 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity weekly.
Whether you go for a walk, ride your bike, or do some work in the garden, you can move your limbs and get the physical activity you need to be healthy. At the same time, you’ll enjoy natural light.
These are five reasons it pays to enjoy more natural light if you’re not currently getting enough of it. You’ll reap the benefits in various ways when you make it a priority.
