In the fast-paced life mode of modern society, people seem to be bound by invisible ropes in indoor spaces. Most of the time every day, we are trapped in the cubicles of the office, facing the cold light from the computer screen, busy with various work tasks; when we return home, we are often immersed in the artificial light source indoors, and rarely come into close contact with natural light. According to relevant surveys, modern people spend more than 80% of their time indoors on average every day, and the time they actually come into contact with natural light is very short.
Being trapped indoors for a long time and lacking the nourishment of natural light also brings many health problems. Many people begin to feel depressed frequently, as if their hearts are shrouded in a layer of haze that is difficult to dispel. This is because the blue light in natural light can stimulate the brain to secrete serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in stabilizing emotions and enhancing happiness. When we are in an environment lacking blue light indoors for a long time, the secretion of serotonin will be inhibited, leading to problems such as mood swings, anxiety and depression.
Sleep disorders are also one of the common problems. Without the guidance of natural light, our biological clock begins to become chaotic. Night should be a time to relax and fall into deep sleep, but many people toss and turn in bed and find it difficult to fall asleep; during the day, they feel drowsy and can’t get up. Studies have shown that natural light can help regulate the body’s biological clock and make our sleep-wake cycle more regular. Lack of natural light will make our biological clock unbalanced, which will affect the quality of sleep. Long-term lack of sleep will not only make people feel exhausted, but also cause serious damage to the body’s immune system, cardiovascular system, etc.
Not only that, staying indoors for a long time will also cause great harm to our eyesight. The light of artificial light sources is often not uniform, and it is easy to produce strobe and glare. If you use your eyes for a long time under such light, your eyes will be overly tired, which will lead to the appearance of vision problems such as myopia and astigmatism. Especially for teenagers, they are in a critical period of physical development. The incidence of myopia is high due to long-term indoor learning, lack of outdoor activities and exposure to natural light.
Health Code: The Magical Power of Natural Light
When we spend a lot of time indoors without realizing that the lack of sunlight is quietly affecting our health, it is time to re-examine the importance of natural light to our bodies. In fact, a house with a lot of natural light is like a hidden health treasure, containing many magical powers that are of great benefit to our physical health.
1.Regulate the biological clock and get a good night’s sleep
The biological clock is the natural clock inside the human body, which controls the rhythm of our sleep, wakefulness and various physiological functions. And natural light plays a key role in regulating the biological clock, like a precise commander, guiding our body to follow the laws of nature. When the first ray of sunlight in the morning shines into the room, the light will be transmitted to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain through our optic nerves. This area is like the “control center” of the biological clock. After receiving the light signal, it will inhibit the secretion of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. Its secretion increases in a dark environment, which can help us feel sleepy and fall asleep; during the day, sufficient natural light will reduce the secretion of melatonin, keeping us awake and alert.
Related research also provides strong evidence for this view. A study by Harvard Medical School showed that participants who were exposed to 30 minutes of light in the morning for three consecutive days fell asleep 1.2 hours earlier on average. Another study on the elderly found that increasing exposure to natural light during the day can significantly improve their sleep quality, reduce the number of nighttime awakenings, and allow them to fall asleep more peacefully at night.
2.Get rid of bad emotions and embrace good moods
Sunlight is not only a warm physical presence, but also a “mood regulator” for our hearts. Studies have found that sunlight can promote the brain to secrete 5-hydroxytryptamine, a neurotransmitter closely related to mood regulation, also known as the “happy hormone”. When 5-hydroxytryptamine levels increase, we feel happy, calm and satisfied, and negative emotions such as anxiety and depression will also be reduced.
In life, there are countless examples of this. A friend who has lived in a well-lit house for a long time once shared that every morning, the sun shines through the window on the bed and gently wakes him up. At that moment, his mood is always particularly comfortable and full of energy. Even if you encounter work pressure and troubles in life, as long as you return to this sunny home, the bad mood will slowly dissipate. There is also a patient with depression who, under the advice of a doctor, moved to a sunny house and insisted on taking a walk in the sun every day. After a period of time, his mood has improved significantly and his depression symptoms have also been alleviated. These real cases fully illustrate the positive role of natural light in improving mood.
3.Supplement vitamin D and strengthen bones
The ultraviolet rays in the sun are like a magical “key” that can open the door to the synthesis of vitamin D in the human body. When our skin is exposed to sunlight, ultraviolet rays react with 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin and convert it into vitamin D3. After vitamin D3 enters the blood circulation, it is further metabolized by the liver and kidneys and converted into biologically active vitamin D. This active vitamin D is essential for our physical health.
Vitamin D plays a key role in promoting the absorption and utilization of calcium. It is like a “transporter” that helps the intestines absorb calcium from food and transport calcium to the bones, making the bones stronger and stronger. If vitamin D is deficient, calcium absorption will be hindered, leading to calcium loss in the bones, thereby increasing the risk of osteoporosis, fractures and other diseases. In addition, vitamin D also plays an important regulatory role in the immune system. It can enhance the activity of immune cells, help the body resist the invasion of various pathogens, and improve the body’s immunity.
Let the sun live in: Tips for creating a sunny house
Since natural light is so important to our health, how can we fill our homes with natural light? This requires us to master some tips in house site selection and decoration, so that the sun can shine into every room without hindrance.
1.The wisdom of house site selection and orientation
When buying a house, the orientation and site selection of the house have a decisive influence on lighting. In most parts of the northern hemisphere, the sun is biased to the south, so houses facing south usually get the most sunshine time. In winter, the sun’s altitude angle is low, and the sun can penetrate deep into the room, making the room warm and bright; in summer, the sun’s altitude angle is high, and the south-facing room can avoid direct sunlight and keep the room cool.
In addition to facing south, north-south transparent house types are also good choices. This type of house receives light from the south-facing and north-facing windows in the morning and afternoon respectively, making the whole room brighter for most of the day, and the air can circulate freely, keeping the indoor air fresh. In contrast, the east-west-oriented houses have relatively short lighting time. The east-facing houses can receive sunlight in the early morning, but it will become dark in the afternoon; the west-facing houses have better lighting in the afternoon and evening, but in summer, the indoor temperature may be too high due to the west sun.
In addition to the orientation of the house, the surrounding environment should not be ignored. Try to choose a house without tall buildings around it, so as to ensure that the sun can fully shine into the home. At the same time, the greening of the community should also be considered. Too dense trees may block the sun and affect the lighting effect.
2.The magic of lighting in home decoration
In addition to choosing a house with good lighting when buying a house, we can also increase the natural light in the room through some decoration techniques. Using light-colored paint is one of the simplest and most effective methods. Light colors such as white, beige, and light gray can reflect more light, making the room look brighter and more spacious. Just like a small room that was originally dimly lit, after being painted with white latex paint, it instantly becomes brighter, and the visual space seems to have expanded a lot.
Installing large windows is also the key to increasing lighting. Large windows can allow more natural light to enter the room, making the room more transparent. If conditions permit, the original small windows can be transformed into floor-to-ceiling windows or bay windows, which can not only increase the lighting area, but also improve the beauty of the interior. In some modern minimalist style decoration cases, large floor-to-ceiling windows can often be seen, and the beautiful scenery outside the window can be seen at a glance. The sun shines into the room without reservation, creating a warm and comfortable living atmosphere.
Mirrors are also a secret weapon for increasing indoor natural light. Mirrors have the function of reflecting light. Installing mirrors near windows can reflect light to every corner of the room, making the originally dark corners brighter. For example, hanging a large mirror behind the sofa in the living room can not only increase the sense of layering of the space, but also reflect the light coming in from the window to the entire living room, making the living room brighter.
Bathing in the sun, embracing a healthy life
Natural light, as the most precious gift given to us by nature, is like a silent guardian, silently protecting our physical and mental health. From regulating the biological clock to allow us to have high-quality sleep, to driving away bad emotions and filling our mood with sunshine; from promoting the synthesis of vitamin D, strengthening our bones, to adding warmth and vitality to our homes, the benefits of natural light are innumerable.
In our daily lives, we should bathe ourselves and our families in natural light as much as possible. We can easily choose a house with good lighting to live in and cleverly use decoration techniques to let more sunlight shine into the room. At the same time, don’t forget to take time out of your busy life to go outdoors and let the sun embrace you. Whether it’s a walk in the park in the early morning or reading in the courtyard in the afternoon, every close contact with natural light is a care for your physical health.
Let us cherish every ray of sunshine and integrate natural light into every corner of life. Because a life with a lot of natural light is not only a comfortable enjoyment, but also an important step towards a healthy life. Let us embrace the sun, embrace health, and let life be full of the taste of sunshine!
