It may be obvious that an indoor space needs proper lighting, but why? The value of natural light goes beyond aesthetics. There are health benefits too, which makes natural light a critical factor when you’re in the market for replacement windows in Elkhart, IN.
The complete list is long. However, we’ve collected the most consequential health benefits of getting windows that allow adequate natural light below.
Natural light boosts productivity
Countless studies have shown a positive relationship between natural light and productivity. One study found that students across three states score higher when they take tests in a building compared to when they do so in one with artificial light.
In another one, Walmart stores with skylights above the checkout counters sold more than ones without them. The productivity benefits of natural light cut across of kinds of work.
Helps fight depression
Winter comes with snow games and Seasonal Affective Disorder, a name for that listless feeling. It makes you sluggish and creates a depressive state. The days are cold and dark, which makes serotonin, a brain chemical linked to our mood, low.
But it is higher on sunnier days, even when it’s cold outside. Several studies have replicated the same effect with workers exposed to daylight vs. bright indoor lighting. They feel less depressed when exposed to natural light.
Since most people spend most of their time indoors, your windows need to provide adequate natural light in the most effective way possible.
Provides easy access to Vitamin D
Health officials recommend getting at least 30 minutes of morning sun daily for vitamin D, but you won’t always get the chance when you’re dashing to work. Installing a proper window can bring it to you.
Vitamin D boosts your immune system, along with improving the health of your nerve and muscle. If you don’t have enough, it can cause bone diseases like osteoporosis and rickets.
You get all the vitamin D you need by adding a few windows or swapping out your old windows for a larger, unobstructed one. Especially if you work from home and rarely leave the house.
Natural light promotes better sleep
Our body’s internal clock, the circadian rhythm, is linked directly to natural light. Exposure to natural light lets your body know when it’s time to sleep and wake up. Without sufficient exposure, our brains struggle to produce the chemicals that help us sleep well at night.
Several studies have backed this up. Using over 100 employees, those exposed to light from morning to noon reported sleeping better, faster, and without interruption.
Additionally, natural light reduces eye irritation. Overexposure to artificial light causes eye irritation and minor headaches because the eyes have to strain to see.
There are different reasons to get replacement windows, but none have as much health ROI as proper natural light. Whatever your reasons are, the good news is you don’t have to trade them for the other. You can have it all.
We supply affordable replacement windows in Elkhart, IN, across different brands, materials, and styles. Visit our showroom or call us now to get a free virtual or in-home consultation and a quote.