Light is a part of our biology. It guides us throughout the day, influences our body’s natural chemistry, and even our behaviors. Exposure to light helps keep us stay in sync with the natural ebb and flow of the day.
Exposure to daylight happens in many ways. Spending time outside is important of course, but even inside, exposure to sunlight is possible. Windows play a role in this, but skylights even more. With their helpful position on the roof of your home, skylights often allow more direct sun into the home than many other windows or doors.
Why is exposure to natural daylight important? Here’s what you need to know.
Helps You Sleep
This might sound strange, but daylight plays an important role in our sleep cycles. Exposure to sunlight during the day promotes the creation of melatonin at night. Melatonin is a hormone that promotes good sleep. By exposing your body to daylight, you sync your body with the normal light changes in the environment. This is an important part of maintaining a normal circadian rhythm. When night comes, lowering lights and reducing your exposure to blue light helps your body wind down and prepare for sleep.
Promotes Production of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a hormone that promotes good bone growth and bone health. Sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D in the body. Without adequate vitamin D, your immune system could be weakened, you may experience heart conditions, mood disorder, mental health problems, fragile bones, and more.
About 42% of US adults have a vitamin D deficiency. While you can take supplements, the best way to get vitamin D is with about 15 minutes of sun exposure every day.
Boosts the Immune System
Exposure to sunlight helps improve the performance of your immune system. Over time, this can have a dramatic impact on your overall health. Your ability to fight infection, survive surgeries and recover from conditions like cancer are all dependent upon having a good immune system.
Improves Your Mood
Moderate exposure to daylight improves your mood and focus by increasing the levels of serotonin in the body. This hormone, also known as the “happiness hormone” keeps people alert but calm. Serotonin fights problems like seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Adequate serotonin is also important in reducing the risk of depression. Some studies even show that people who are exposed to sunlight for their work enjoy a better overall quality of life.
Reduces Blood Pressure
About half of the people in the US have high blood pressure. Some studies show that exposure to moderate sunlight throughout the day can reduce your blood pressure, which can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Promotes Weight Loss
Some research even shows that getting some extra morning sunshine can help you lose weight! With as little as 20 minutes of sun exposure every day, you can reduce your body mass index (BMI). While exposure to sunlight is no stand-in for good exercise and a healthy diet, it can help if you’re already actively trying to lose weight.
Promotes Concentration and Clear Thinking
One more surprising thing that you may not know about sunlight: it helps people perform on tests. If you’re studying at home, learning at home, or even going to home school, exposure to sunlight throughout the day can help you concentrate and do better in your studies.
Install VTECH Skylights To Make the Difference
More sunlight inside can improve your quality of life, your health, and your happiness. VTECH Skylights are designed to improve the comfort inside your home without causing temperature control problems, safety issues, or security problems. Our skylights offer the best of all worlds: total comfort without maintenance.
To find out more about how VTECH Skylights can make your home a better place to live, and a healthier place for people, contact us. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and help you get started with the selection of a product.