A naturally lit space will help you be. The light simply improves the communication between the regions of the brain that are central to our handling of emotions such as stress and anxiety,” says PhD fellow Brenda Mc Mahon, MD, of the Neurobiology Research Unit at the Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. service contractor, I'm Having enough natural light is especially important if you work from a home office. Looking for a way to cut down on energy costs throughout your home? Go with too little or too much of one or the other and your circadian rhythm will be thrown out of whack, putting your precious sleep-time in peril. Natural sources of light include sunlight, the stars, volcanoes, meteorological lightning and biochemical sources. According to, #12 Natural Lighting Could Help You Lose Weight, Is this a magical diet trick right here? American Home Shield, AHS, “Be sure with the Shield” and the shield logo are registered trademarks of American Home Shield Corporation, TO What are the Benefits of Natural Light in Your Home? Reflecting Natural Light Indoors Use glass, metallic, and mirrored decor to reflect more light around … As you can see, implementing natural light throughout your house has many perks. #9 Natural Lighting is a Vital Source of Vitamin D, There’s a reason Vitamin D is called the “sunshine vitamin” – because your skin makes it when it’s exposed to the sun and sunshine is our key source of this important vitamin. (Yep. Add rooflights to bring in bright, bright top light. Want to hear some good news? Paint interior window frames white to amplify the reflection of natural light. Letting the (Natural) Light In | 2020 Cottage on the Cape A View From Above. That’s exactly why sustainable home design (which focuses as much on the health of inhabitants as it does on the health of the planet) includes maximizing natural lighting. Learn more. Bask in natural daylight for 30 … That’s because the sun creates vitamin D. A lack of vitamin D in your body may be one of the factors that contributes to depression, so absorption of the sun’s vitamin D has been linked to an improved mood. But did you know house plants have numerous benefits – from detoxifying indoor air to boosting your mood? There’s a reason Vitamin D is called the “sunshine vitamin” – because your skin makes it when it’s exposed to the sun and sunshine is our key source of this important vitamin. Try looking out the window and soaking up the sun for a few minutes for a boost of alertness. To get the most impact, consider painting the window trim white, as well as big, bulky pieces, such as the kitchen cabinets. A naturally lit space will help you be more productive than an artificially lit work environment. But an increasing body of evidence shows a litany of negative health effects when we don’t get enough. Natural light has been shown to lower the risk of nearsightedness in children and young adults by helping the eye produce dopamine, which aids in healthy eye development.”. If there aren't beams streaming in through the windows, artificial light is even more important... Find the right bulbs.. No, you shouldn't just be using whatever comes in the lamp. “Natural light should always be considered when choosing color for a space,” says Sarah Cole of the Farrow & Ball paint company. It’s all about the windows and doors. About Us     Share With Us     Contact Us     Advertise, Copyright © 2020 ElementalGreen® and Contributors, ElementalGreen and the logo are registered trademarks of ElementalGreen, © 2016 Review by Divi Soup | Design by Michelle Nunan, Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our free ebook “Why Go Green", By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. It’s true – Windows increase the value of a home. a real estate professional. That’s 20 percent of your entire energy consumption. Throughout the day, the sun marks time, subtly changing the color and shape of rooms. More natural lighting means more opportunities for growing indoor plants. What if you could perk up your home's presentation and create a relaxing, yet stimulating environment in the process? Plus, if you have an awesome view, those big windows will show it off in the best way! That’s natural lighting. To increase natural light, you should at least replace your window glass with one of higher quality. The warranty is subject to proper installation of the unit in accordance with the written installation instructions. Sunlight is recognised as a natural disinfectant. According to the Community Research and Development Information Service of the EU, “T cells are a type of white blood cell that perform a central role in the immune system. But, humans evolved mostly outdoors, so what happens when we spend so many hours inside? If you’re like most people, you spend about 90% of your days indoors. Many contemporary house plans feature window arrangements that seem to take the place of artwork—a window facing the bathtub, for instance, with a private view onto swaying bamboo. Letting sunlight in during the darker months is especially important, since the days are so much shorter. A single device can light a space of 100 to 600 square feet. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs when the seasons change, usually in the fall and winter. Increased natural light during the day helps you sleep better, so that you’re well-rested and on the ball for work the next day. In another study conducted by the California Energy Commission, students with the most daylighting in their classrooms progressed 20% faster on math tests and 26% faster on reading tests in one year than in those with the least. Allow the natural light to “play” throughout the rooms by brightening the house with white or light paint colors. Although the specific cause of SAD has not been determined, it’s linked to a disruption of our circadian rhythm and decreases of serotonin and melatonin: all because of a lack of sunlight. A study conducted in 2010 found that Vitamin D influences the functioning of over 200 genes in our bodies. Like water and fire, sunlight is an elemental part of our existence—and a fundamental component of green design. According to North Carolina State University, “Computer screens, smart phones and fluorescent light can cause eye strain that can lead to permanent eye damage. In order to find, react and fight off various infections in the body, T cells must transform from dormant, harmless cells to active ones capable of killing often serious bacteria and viruses. Darker colors absorb it. Feeling wound up? Energy Tip: Measuring Your Home's Energy Efficiency, 5 Home Maintenance Tasks You're Probably Forgetting to Do, Don’t Call The Plumber Just Yet: 9 Ways to Unclog a Kitchen Sink Drain, 7 Common Oven Problems and How to Fix Them, The Ultimate Home Maintenance Guide for 2021, 7 Easy Houseplants That Brighten Your Home, Winterize Your Fireplace in Time for the Holidays. If you love our beer, shop our gear. If you’re feeling bold (and on-trend, for that matter), consider ditching the treatments all together and having “naked windows.”. 8 ways to bring more natural light into your home 1) Light colours. Sunlight also produces endorphins, otherwise known as the “feel-good hormone.”. These can be both living and non living things. In a study done by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, people performed 10 to 25% better on tests of mental function and memory recall when they worked in a room with daylight and a view, compared to those without. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Strategy in all climate zones, but it ’ s 20 percent of your days indoors both! Obesity and symptoms of metabolic syndrome, a hormone that can improve mood by alleviating,. So does your energy level big windows will show it off in the natural light in the house can certainly prove beneficial daylighting.! That are bright with natural light is the first floor of a home.... Sunlight ) in our natural light in the house, it can be both living and non living things and well-being ) but increasing... 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