Monmouth County's Ask the Doctor July-August 2021

H E A L T H Y H O M E

H O M E H E A LT H Natural Light In Your Home Has Health Benefits Basking in the sun is a great feeling. But did you know that natural light has tremendous health benefits, both physical and emotional? Here are just a few reasons you should get more sunlight in your life. Natural Light Boosts Productivity and Improves Mood

You may have heard of seasonal affective disorder, a state of depression spurred by long periods of dismal weather. Have you considered that the same effect may happen on a day-to-day basis? Research suggests that having ample exposure to natural light while indoors pays massive dividends when it comes to dai- ly productivity and disposition. Circadian Rhythms Regulate With Natural Light Exposure

As we spend more and more time indoors, our circadian rhythms (sleep-wake cycles) become more and more skewed. Artificial lighting affects our bodies’ production of melatonin, the chemical that influences our sleep. A common tip for reset- ting the sleep cycle is to spend a week camping, realigning the circadian rhythm with the rising and setting of the sun. Living in a home with plenty of natural light is another way to keep your sleep schedule on track. More Natural Light Means Better Energy Conservation The more sunlight a building harnesses, the less electricity it has to use. You can save money and lessen your environmental impact by living in an apartment with abundant natural light. Natural Light Improves Vision Think twice before putting on those sunglasses every time you leave the house. While the sentiment that artificial light sources has a negative impact on vision is well established, new research suggests exposure to natural light is healthy for our eyes. Im- proved vision isn’t the only health benefit of natural light exposure — there are several studies showing that people who work night shifts (and thus have less natural light exposure) are much more susceptible to several forms of cancer and other ailments. Natural Light Equals Natural Views More natural light means windows, and windows mean views (whether they’re great or not-so-great). That’s not science; it’s logic. What is science is this study, which suggests a view through a window may influence recovery from surgery positively. You don’t have to be convalescing to appreciate the benefits of a view, though. Rooms Designed with Daylight in Mind Keep You Healthy Many of us spend workdays cloistered in dim rooms that seem more designed for deep cave salamanders than human beings. Rooms that take advantage of big windows can use natural light as a centerpiece of the design. Natural Light Improves Sleep Quality You’ve heard about the negative effects of “blue light” emitted from your phone late at night. Light from artificial sources dis- rupts the body’s production of melatonin, affecting our ability to fall asleep. People who live in homes that use excessive nighttime lighting get lower-quality sleep. Making natural light a part of your everyday life will have you more energetic by day and ready to sleep when bedtime rolls around. With all the benefits lined up, it’s easy to see why you should seek more natural light in your home.

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