Due to the rise of the digital
age, our lifestyles have become more sheltered, cloistered and sedentary over
the past few decades. As human beings, we spend a majority of our time indoors
and most of the adult workforce spends a significant amount of time interfacing
with computers and digital items. All of
us possess the ability to adapt to any changes in the environment, however this
extreme shift in the way we live, work and function everyday has placed an
enormous amount of strain in our bodies and minds. We always crave change and favor an
environment which sharpens our mental perception and physical capacity. The
present static setting in our homes, offices and other commercial
establishments may be a stumbling block to this change we so desperately need.
We strive to control our immediate surroundings, seek out a territory to call
our own and finally relish contact with the outside world even if there is just
a glimpse of it through a simple window pane.
As more time is spent indoors
confined to small living spaces and minimal exposure to the outside world, it
greatly impacts our sense of well being, satisfaction and productivity levels.
How long can we be stuck in an artificial setting which only intensifies the negative
effects in us? This is when we should pay attention to the way our buildings
are designed? Our schools, hospitals, offices and malls have placed too little
emphasis on functional efficiency rather than concentrating on basic human
needs. Due to this, there has been a steady increase in work-related illnesses
like asthma, cardiovascular diseases, repetitive stress injuries, etc.
Back in the old days, there was a
design trend that emerged which prevented office building and schools from
having too many windows. This was done to prevent eyestrain, minimize
distractions and increase efficiency of heating and cooling indoors. New
research indicates that the most conclusive and powerful finding which has
emerged in building design is the importance of installing windows to let in
natural sunlight. The old adage has now
been completely reversed and sunlight has now proved to play a significant role
in promoting pleasant view of the outdoors, reduce illness, improve psychological
well being, increase mental alertness and improve productivity at work.
Biologists and Scientists
theorize that regular contact with sunlight regulates mental and physical
function brought about through the body’s natural responses to the rhythms of
light. Sunlight also aids in the production of Vitamin D in the human body
which is extremely important for cell growth regulation and promoting strong
muscle and nerve functioning. Vitamin D is also vital for the body’s tissue and
bones to absorb calcium. Exposure to sunlight is important for young children
and older adults as it aids in proper growth for the former and helps the eyes
to see better for the later as less light reaches the retina when one ages.
Another important facet of
sunlight can be found in schools and universities where higher levels of
concentration and better short-term memory recall were noticed. Students with
higher access to sunlight performed 7-18% higher on standardized tests than
those with little or no exposure. They were also found to progress faster on reading
tests and math tests over students in classrooms with the least amount of
sunlight. Sunlight plays a major role in stimulating a positive visual
environment for the learning process.
In nursing homes and hospitals,
sunlight helped patients in tremendous ways. Post-operative patients took very
few painkillers and recovered more rapidly than those who had least access to
sunlight. Health care facilities are stressful environments for both the staff
and patients. So it’s important to incorporate sunlight into the design of such
establishments to help improve morale, optimize patient outcomes and allow
function at peak efficiency.
Sunlight has also proved
beneficial in reducing energy consumption and saving on utility costs. When
ample sunlight is available, electric lights can be turned off. During the cold
months, sunlight can be allowed to enter indoors through windows thus cutting
on heating costs.
To sum it up, sunlight has proved
time and again in improving physical/mental health, increasing productivity and
generating overall well being. Natural elements like simple daylight can
rapidly trigger positive emotions and help in reducing stress levels. We humans
need to find a way to incorporate more sunlight into daily living through the
way our buildings are designed. A thoughtfully designed space with significant
access to natural light goes a long way in fostering a sense of community and
minimizing environmental impact.
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