Natural Light In Bedrooms: A Comforting Feature?

Natural light has a plethora of benefits, from improving health and wellbeing to saving energy and money. It is therefore unsurprising that people want to maximise natural light in their homes, especially in the bedroom. The bedroom is often a place of relaxation and calm, and natural light can help to create a bright and airy space. In this article, we will explore the different ways to increase natural light in the bedroom and the impact this can have on people's lives. From paint colours and furniture choices to the use of mirrors and reflective objects, we will provide tips and tricks to transform your bedroom into a sanctuary of natural light.

Natural light improves health and wellbeing

Secondly, natural light improves mental health and sleep. Sunlight causes our brains to produce serotonin, a hormone that improves mood, provides energy, and promotes happiness and feelings of well-being. Sunlight also produces endorphins, or "feel-good" hormones. Furthermore, natural light during the day helps regulate our sleep-wake cycles, improving sleep quality and duration.

Thirdly, natural light can help prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to changes in seasons and a disruption of our circadian rhythm. By letting in more sunlight during darker months, the symptoms of SAD can be alleviated.

Additionally, natural light has been shown to increase concentration and focus, improve vision, and even increase the value of your home. It reduces blood pressure by altering levels of nitric oxide (NO) in the skin and blood. It also reduces stress and anxiety by improving the communication between regions of the brain that handle emotions.

Finally, natural light can boost your immune system by activating T-cells, a type of white blood cell that fights off infections in the body.

In summary, natural light is essential for maintaining and improving our health and wellbeing. By making simple design choices that maximise natural light in our homes and workplaces, we can reap the numerous benefits that natural light has to offer.

It can help regulate Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs when the seasons change, usually in the fall and winter. It is characterised by symptoms such as feeling sad, listless, and sluggish. SAD is linked to a disruption in our circadian rhythm and decreases in serotonin and melatonin, all due to a lack of sunlight. Light therapy is a common treatment for SAD, and it can be as effective as antidepressants.

Sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D, which is critical for our health. Vitamin D prevents bone loss and reduces the risk of heart disease, weight gain, and various cancers. When we are exposed to sunlight, our skin makes vitamin D, and this can help to alleviate the symptoms of SAD.

Light therapy for SAD involves sitting in front of a light therapy lamp that emits a very bright light while filtering out harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The recommended light intensity is 10,000 lux, and the lamp should be placed 16 to 24 inches away from your face at a 45-degree angle from your eyes. The recommended duration of light therapy is 20 to 30 minutes per day, typically in the morning.

In addition to light therapy, there are other ways to increase your exposure to natural light. You can add windows to your home, especially high windows that provide privacy while letting in sunlight. Skylights or Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDDs) can also be installed to increase natural light without compromising privacy. Keeping your windows clean and maintaining your garden can also maximise the amount of natural light entering your home.

Exercising outdoors is another way to increase your sunlight exposure and boost your vitamin D levels. Taking your lunch break outside, going for a morning walk, or spending time on your patio are all simple ways to get more natural light.

It saves energy and money

Natural light in the bedroom is not only aesthetically pleasing but also has several health benefits. In addition, it saves energy and money.

Natural light is a powerful and free source of light. It can illuminate and warm a room without the need for electricity, reducing energy costs. In a world where the average person spends 90% of their day indoors, it is important to maximise natural light to reduce energy consumption and costs.

The benefits of natural light are twofold. Firstly, it is a healthy and natural way to light up a room. Secondly, it reduces costs by cutting down on electricity usage. This is especially beneficial in the colder months when electricity usage is typically higher.

The direction in which a bedroom window faces will determine the amount of natural light a room receives. A south-facing bedroom, for example, will be filled with natural light throughout the day, requiring fewer artificial light sources. In contrast, a north-facing bedroom will receive less natural light and may require more artificial lighting to compensate. However, by incorporating design elements such as light-reflective paint, mirrors, and metallic accents, even a north-facing bedroom can maximise the natural light it receives, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

In addition to strategic design choices, regular maintenance can also help maximise natural light and save energy. Ensuring windows are clean and unobstructed by plants or trees can make a significant difference in the amount of light entering a room.

It can increase the value of your home

Natural light in the bedroom is not only good for your health, but it can also increase the value of your home.

A study by Building Technology Innovations found that natural light makes a space look bigger and more open, leading to increased property value. This is especially true if your bedroom has an attractive view, as large windows can showcase this feature.

Additionally, south-facing bedrooms are reported to be highly desirable among buyers, and they can increase the market value of a home by around 1%. This is because south-facing bedrooms receive an abundance of natural light throughout the day, providing ample Vitamin D and creating a bright and airy atmosphere.

To maximise the value-adding potential of natural light in your bedroom, consider the following:

• Opt for sheer, voile curtains or fully retracting blinds instead of obstructive curtains to let in more daylight.
• Use light colours for your walls, such as white or light pastel shades, as these reflect light better and make the space appear larger.
• Choose light-toned or white furniture to enhance the sense of space and brightness.
• Incorporate reflective surfaces, such as mirrors or glass furniture, to bounce light around the room and create a brighter atmosphere.
• Keep your windows clean and free from obstructions, such as plants, to allow more natural light to enter the room.
• If your bedroom lacks windows, consider structural changes like adding glass blocks, installing skylights, or creating a sun tunnel to bring in more natural light.

It improves sleep

Natural light has a profound impact on sleep, and people generally prefer to have access to natural light in their homes and workplaces. Natural light is the most powerful light you can bring into your home, and it's a healthy and natural way to enjoy the indoors. It improves sleep by regulating the body's internal clock, which is formally known as the circadian pacemaker. This internal clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in the hypothalamus, and it synchronises our internal biological rhythms.

Natural light plays a central role in regulating circadian rhythm, the body's internal clock that signals when to be alert and when to rest. Circadian rhythm is a 24-hour internal clock that coordinates a wide range of processes in the body, including sleep. When exposed to only natural light, a person’s circadian rhythm becomes closely synchronized with sunrise and sunset, staying awake during the day and sleeping when it’s dark. However, in modern society, artificial light is a constant presence, and it can affect the brain’s circadian pacemaker. Excess or poorly timed artificial light exposure can cause a person’s circadian rhythm to become misaligned with the day-night schedule, throwing their sleep out of whack and inducing other concerning health impacts.

Natural light also affects the production of melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone. In response to darkness, the pineal gland in the brain initiates the production of melatonin, but light exposure slows or halts that production. Drowsiness increases with rising melatonin levels, which is one way that this hormone facilitates sleep. In addition, daily cycles of melatonin production normalize circadian rhythm, reinforcing a stable sleep-wake schedule. For some people with sleeping problems, supplemental melatonin may be prescribed to help regulate sleep timing.

Not all sleep has the same characteristics. In a normal sleep period, a person goes through four to six sleep cycles, each of which lasts from 70 to 120 minutes. Those cycles are made up of multiple stages of sleep, including both rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. Light exposure at night can hinder transitions between sleep cycles, reducing the quality of sleep. Too much light can cause repeated awakenings, interrupting the sleep cycle and reducing time spent in deeper, more restorative sleep stages.

Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders occur when a person’s internal clock isn’t functioning properly or becomes misaligned with their environment. Many circadian rhythm disorders are tied to patterns of light exposure. Jet lag, which arises after long-distance plane travel, is one example. Another is shift work, which requires working into the evening or overnight and can cause insufficient sleep, excessive sleepiness at inopportune times, mood problems, and elevated risk of workplace accidents.

To improve sleep patterns, experts recommend spending more time outdoors, being physically active, and following a regular sleep routine.

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