The Impact Of Effective Lighting In Your Working Environment
With more people working from home, we want to feel as safe and comfortable as we can.
In order to ensure that we and our employees are as comfortable as possible there are a few environmental factors that are worth thinking about.
Lighting In The Workplace
I try to work as close to natural light as possible however with the darkness of winter this isn’t always possible.
When I am speaking with clients over Zoom or Teams, I use LED lights and I also have an LED desk lamp that I use when sitting at my desk. I’m looking at it right now.
But why should we think about lighting?
To most of us, a light bulb is a light bulb, but we should take all lighting options into consideration.
Shade lamps and candles tend to trigger a sense of relaxation. The body associates the lack of bright light with the evening and will begin to prepare for sleep.
Desk and floor lamps maintain a sense of comfort, encouraging us to be alert, focused and productive.
Fluorescent overhead lights are likely to trigger high levels of productivity.
Natural light is full spectrum and dynamic. Full spectrum means that the light contains all the colours of the rainbow.
Dynamic means that the light intensity and colour temperature changes with the time of day. The light not only affects our day-night rhythm, but also our vitamin D balance.
It is important because it helps us to absorb the calcium from our food. In turn, we need the calcium for bone formation and stability.
Daylight also helps the production of melatonin, which ensures that we get tired when it gets dark.
Cortisol does the opposite and makes us alert and focused. For people who do not get enough daylight while working, both substances are present in the body at the wrong time. The consequences are:
Headaches
Sleep disorders
Even depression
Unfortunately, no artificial light can replace 100% daylight, though colour temperature can have an emotional impact.
LED lighting is proven to deliver “human centric” benefits, positively affecting our:
Circadium Rythms (Physical, mental and behaviour changes that follow a 24 hour cycle.)
Mood
Visual Acuity
Productivity and Performance
Perception
A properly functioning circadian rhythm will maximise production of Vitamin D, serotonin and dopamine at midday. As we know Serotonin is a chemical that has a wide variety of functions in the human body.
It is sometimes called the “happy chemical”, because it contributes to wellbeing and happiness. It is mainly found in the brain, bowels, and blood platelets.
Dopamine is a chemical found naturally in the human body. It is a neurotransmitter, meaning it sends signals from the body to the brain.
Dopamine plays a part in controlling the movements a person makes, as well as their emotional responses. The right balance of dopamine is vital for both physical and mental wellbeing.
So, in terms of health, LED is the best light source other than the sun.
If you would like more information on how LED lighting can improve your working-environment why not check out this post.
Contact An Employee Health Specialist
If you would like to provide your employees who use VDUs an eye test and cash towards prescription glasses why not speak to an employee health specialist about how a health cash plan can help support your business.