Owners of businesses shouldn't undervalue the influence of windows in the workplace. A Future Workplace survey of more than 1,600 employees found that many workers ranked having access to natural light as their top workplace benefit. We are discovering that artificial light is not a good substitute for natural lighting through study after study. In offices with few windows, it may be detrimental to workplace productivity. The health and safety of employees are fundamentally improved by exposure to natural light. Adding more windows is a financial investment that can also increase profits.
Healthier Employees
Eye strain and other health issues are a common problem in many offices that rely on artificial lighting. Too much or too little light can cause headaches, fatigue, and stress, which not only decreases productivity but also increases the chance of an error or accident. A research study conducted by Dr. Kerstin Sailer found that more exposure to daylight increased productivity by 20%. It also enriches workers with Vitamin D, serotonin, and melatonin, which are instrumental in helping to prevent colds and flu, resulting in fewer sick days.
Better Sleep Patterns
To ascertain how lighting affects sleep patterns, researchers at Northwestern University of Chicago conducted a study. According to the study, which was written up in Psychology Today, people who have window offices get an extra 46 minutes of sleep every night compared to those who have offices without windows. More restful sleep results in more alert, productive, and healthy workers.
Happier Workers
The mood at work can be negatively impacted by poor lighting. Some people can develop a condition known as seasonal affective disorder due to a lack of natural light (SAD). According to Dr. Norman Rosenthal, clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School, 20% of adults in the U.S. experience some form of SAD. Employees with this condition frequently experience fatigue and depression. For people with SAD, increasing access to natural lighting is like turning a switch. Employees are happier and more productive as a result of the improved mood and decreased fatigue.
Boost Creativity
Increasing the amount of natural light in the office fosters creativity. The mental stimulation of daylight can ease stress at work. Employees who were seated near windows or other natural features, such as greenery, had a 15% boost in creativity and well-being, according to a Human Spaces study.
Energy Cost Savings
Increasing the amount of natural light in the office lowers the carbon footprint while also lowering energy costs. According to the Carbon Trust, maximizing the use of windows and daylight sensors to maintain the ideal ratio of artificial and natural lighting in the workplace can cut electricity costs by as much as 40% to 60%.
More windows in the office are no longer a benefit. It is essential for a more contented, healthy, and effective workplace.
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