The benefits of natural light and how to maximise its use in your home

Let’s face it, here in the UK we don't always get as much natural light as we’d like. In fact, we have become so dependent on artificial light that it’s had an impact on everything from our physical health, our mental wellbeing and even our productivity. Artificial light is almost impossible to avoid, and with that comes a disruption to our circadian rhythm, our internal body clock that helps regulate our sleep.

Way back in ‘the olden days’, our whole lives centred around the sun. Daylight dictated the way we worked and lived – we got up with the sun and our heads hit the hay when the sun went down.  Alas, modern life has changed all that, with technological innovations making us less dependent on natural light, living in an almost constant daytime.

Although as humans we are no longer dependent on natural light to dictate the way we live, we do know how beneficial natural light is for us, and we at Agreed think that it’s worth finding ways to get maximum exposure to daylight throughout your day.

There are some incredible benefits to maximising the natural light in your home - for body and mind, so here are some reasons why we think you should maximise any natural light you have in your home:

• The UV radiation in sunlight is a natural disinfectant which can act to kill bacteria and viruses in the home. Mould thrives in the dark, and light prevents spores from developing. It sounds weird, but  when you think about it, it’s always the dark and poorly ventilated rooms in our houses that  produce mould. In the current Covid world, who wouldn’t want to throw open the curtains  and let the light do some of the virus busting for us?
  
  
• Natural light stimulates Vitamin D production to give our immune systems a boost - it can even reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.  Vitamin D is crucial for us – not only is it the key player in the development of strong bones (it  helps us absorb calcium), but it also has links to reducing depression and obesity.   Supplements can go some of the way to boost our Vitamin D levels, but that can lead to an oversupply. The really clever thing about our natural exposure to sunlight is that it helps our body make Vitamin D, and then our bodies know when we have enough, meaning this process is completely self-regulating.
  
  
• It helps us to sleep. Our bodies are the result of thousands of years of evolution, and as a result we are  programmed to be exposed to a high level of natural light. Our circadian rhythms – the way  our body regulates everything from digestion to cell regeneration – are reliant on daily  exposure to light and dark. With the invention of TVs, phones, electric lights (I mean, the list is endless), our bodies are now tricked into an almost perpetual daytime, and lack of sleep  had become a widespread affliction. Simply by getting some sunlight during the day, and  sleeping in a room with plenty of natural light can help put your stabilise your circadian  rhythm. Light exposure and therefore waking when the sun comes up is ideal for improving  your sleep.
  
  
• It elevates our moods. Natural light also helps you achieve a, well, natural lightness – that perfect state of  emotional wellbeing. Too little exposure to light can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety or negativity, with many people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. In the darker months in particular, it’s even more important to make sure you are getting adequate sun exposure.
  
  
• Natural light lowers blood pressure. Research shows that sunlight alters levels of the small messenger molecule, nitric oxide (NO), in the skin and blood, reducing blood pressure. Reduced blood pressure cuts the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and with cardiovascular disease causing 30% of deaths globally, there is a real argument that a sensible amount of sun exposure is good for us.
  
  
• Sunlight makes us calm, alert and focused, thereby increasing our productivity levels. The shift from working outside towards more desk-based jobs has meant that our exposure to daylight has been significantly reduced. But studies show that natural light in the workplace leads to a myriad of benefits – it makes us more productive, it has been shown to reduce illness-related absenteeism, and improves general workplace morale. With more and more of us working at home, it’s vital to make sure your home environment gives you as much daylight as any workforce deserves.
  
  
• Natural light cuts down on energy bills. We spend so much time inside, that it’s not surprising that ‘wellness architecture’ is now taking off in the property world. Both lighting and heating can be optimised by utilising daylight inside buildings. Installing windows that give you maximum exposure to daylight may incur a higher expense initially than traditional electric lighting, but in the long run you’ll reap the benefits both economically and in health terms too. Winner winner. 

It’s pretty clear that the list of the benefits of natural light is fairly comprehensive, but how can we quickly and simply let the light into our homes (without knocking down walls and adding skylights)?!

☀️ Pull back those curtains and open the shutters, keeping windows as clear as possible 

☀️ Use cleverly placed mirrors to reflect the light deeper into your home (added benefit: your house will also look bigger)

☀️ Stick to light and bright colour schemes if you're redecorating, choosing paints that reflect the light

☀️ Reposition bulky furniture if it's blocking windows or doors so the daylight can stream through in any given season

☀️ Trim any greenery that might be blocking the light outside your home – time to perfect those topiary skills?!

☀️ Make sure the windows that you do have are sparkling clean!