Natural light can really impact the appearance of a room. Open the blinds or curtains and everything is not only illuminated but it is almost as if light brightens up the room making it cheery. While the mood in the room definitely changes, light also affects how we feel and work.
At work, natural light benefits employees in a number of ways. For one, from an eco-friendly standpoint, natural light is more in tune with the natural rhythms of our bodies, which facilitates productivity. In fact, employees can function much better in rooms illuminated by natural light as opposed to electrical lighting simply because, in some cases, the intensity of electrical light is distracting. Within the shared workspace, natural light holds a few other benefits as well.
Let’s take a closer look at the various benefits of natural light in a shared workspace.
Productivity And Efficiency
One of the central benefits of natural lighting is that it promotes productivity in the workspace. Professionals in rooms that are mostly illuminated by sunlight are more aware at work. This alertness makes it possible for professionals to get more work completed but also to complete work correctly, making for a more efficient and productive workday.
Shared workspaces that are illuminated primarily by light provide the environment for maximising your workday, especially during the Australian summers when the days are a lot longer. The most comfortable atmosphere illuminated by natural light is even more incentive to go with shared spaces that provide their members with natural light. In shared spaces, professionals will find the dedicated desk is a desk of your own in a shared space with natural light and like-minded people that also promotes productivity.
Circadian Rhythm
One of the reasons that employees are so much more productive in natural lit settings is related to the circadian rhythm. These rhythms respond to light and darkness signalling when it is time to sleep and to work. Natural light is one of the main clues to the body that it is time to wake and to be productive, and while electrical lighting can illuminate a room just as effectively, nothing can replace the benefits of Vitamin D and other nutrients when emitted into a space. Within shared spaces, rooms illuminated by natural light set the tone for productivity.
Importance Of Vitamin D
Another benefit of natural lighting is that it is the number one source of Vitamin D. This particular mineral is naturally absorbed through the skin. One of its primary functions is nerve and muscle support, but it also aids the immune system.
Without a healthy immune system, our entire system is vulnerable to a number of diseases and functions, making work impossible. In the shared space, a compromised immune system does not bode well for the affected employee but also places others at risk for the conditions associated with a Vitamin D deficiency, like, for example, the common cold. In essence, natural lighting is the number one source of this vital mineral needed for the body, and it not only supports optimal health, but it promotes productivity within the workspace.
Mental Health Benefits
Finally, natural lighting also supports optimal mental health. Serotonin, the chemical associated with affecting mood, is also connected to the amount of sunlight a person is exposed to over time. Researchers believe that serotonin levels are at their highest on sunny days, and that is why so many people are affected by SAD (Seasonal Affected Disorder) during the winter months when days are shorter. In the shared spaces, the amount of sunlight professionals are exposed to can affect their mood, and thus their productivity.
Sunlight And Productivity
While the benefits of sunlight are usually associated with leisure and fun, its benefits can also be seen in the workspace. Shared space with a lot of natural lighting can do wonders for the mood and mental health of professionals working in the space. However, it has the potential to also greatly impact productivity.