We all have what we desire in our houses. Some prefer a clean home that’s free of clutter, while others want somewhere that is comfortable and relaxing enough for them to feel at ease and comfortable.
Regardless of what it is you want, however, there’s one thing that cuts across all these desires and which homeowners believe is a necessity – an abundance of natural light. Everyone loves a house that is clear and bright, and which allows the sun’s rays to illuminate everywhere in its natural beauty.
However, beyond the general aesthetics that natural light provides, there are some essential benefits that you and your house could also get from letting more light in.
An Improvement in Vitamin D Levels
Natural sunlight is the most potent source of vitamin D. We all know this, but not many people understand how vitamin D helps.
Vitamin D is a crucial ingredient in the formation of strong bones. The body uses vitamin D to absorb calcium, which helps us both in infancy and as we grow too. There have also been some links between a lack of vitamin D and issues like depression, obesity, and multiple sclerosis.
As stated earlier, the best way to absorb vitamin D is through natural light. You could always get your dose from supplements and foods like milk, but you run the risk of consuming way too much and raising your blood calcium levels.
While it’s worth noting that sunlight doesn’t directly give the body vitamin D, it does help the body to produce its own. Natural light helps to strengthen your body, and you also don’t need to worry about an excessive supply of vitamin D when the body has had enough. Instead, it just stops making the vitamin.
Natural light boosts focus and productivity
In a world where more people work from home and take up freelance jobs, the presence of natural light in our homes is essential, more than ever. From the moment you wake, you need that jolt of energy and focus to keep your activities going.
While it’s not the same as stepping outside for a bit and taking in the sights and sounds, natural light does have benefits for overall productivity. Natural light has been linked with improved focused efficiency, and even fewer illnesses.
An Enhancement in Your Psychological Well-Being
As it turns out, the benefits that natural light provides goes beyond just benefiting our bodies. A lack of daylight can induce feelings of depression and anxiety, and can improve the chances of developing Seasonal Affective Disorder. Studies have also found that improved access to natural light can help reduce stress and agitation, which will help your body to conserve energy better and improve your ability to take care of yourself in the long run.
Put simply, the addition of sunlight helps us to feel better – a benefit that will manifest in the physical as well.
Improved Sleep
Sleep, and mental health are connected. If natural light helps to improve your psychological state, it should be able to enhance your sleep as well, thus helping you to wake up feeling more refreshed and ready to work.
Note that an improvement in sleep will also help you to be productive every day.
Energy Efficiency
If you’re looking to save money on your house, then allowing more natural light in is the perfect way to get that done.
Lighting makes up a significant amount of the total energy use in an average building. For some, lighting contributes to about 30 percent of the total energy bill. Obviously, electricity isn’t cheap. For those who choose lighting options that come with additional costs, these numbers can rack up even higher.
Well, that’s why you have natural lighting. You might end up paying a pretty penny to install things like windows and sliding doors; you’ll find that once they’re installed, your average utility bills will reduce markedly.
Natural lighting isn’t expensive to run, and there’s an argument to be made that it can light your house even better than artificial choices too.
Lighting can also help to optimize heating as well. The concept of solar gain (the heating effects that sunlight has in an interior space) can be enhanced by thermal glazing products, so with the right design; you will be able to effectively light up and insulate your house. Smart and cost-efficient.
Mold Prevention
There’s been a lot of debate over this, but natural light can also help you to keep your house free of mildew too. An apartment with small windows and lighting will have a reduction in ventilation efficiency, which will provide a great environment for mold or mildew to thrive.
Mold thrives in the dark, and by exposing your home to sunlight, you can prevent spores from thriving.
