The Impact of Natural Light on Mental Health & How Window Film Can Help

Conversations surrounding mental health are increasing in prevalence. Discussing anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles is no longer taboo, allowing for more open exploration of solutions. A variety of factors contribute to one’s sense of well-being. One element is regular exposure to natural light.

When the days are shorter and we receive less exposure to sunlight, many people experience undeniable mood shifts. This condition is referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and impacts about 3% of the general population. SAD involves a decrease in energy, mood, interest in activities, and self-esteem during certain times of the year, typically the winter months. Seasonal affective disorder perfectly illustrates the importance of natural light to our health, but even those who do not have a clinical diagnosis notice changes in their mood and sense of well-being.

With many people working in indoor environments during the winter’s limited daylight hours, maximizing the amount of sunlight we absorb is essential. For office employees and other people working inside, glass doors and windows provide the only avenue for sunlight. As a result, floor-to-ceiling glass walls have become a popular architectural feature to magnify sunlight transmittance.

Natural Light at the Expense of Other Comforts?

In addition to permitting natural light into your space, windows also promote adverse side effects from the sun. The sun’s infrared rays create solar heat gain, causing uncomfortable temperatures and sky-high energy bills. UV rays fade and deteriorate upholstery, flooring, and furniture. And, sometimes there is too much sunlight, resulting in debilitating glare.

So how can we foster natural light to help combat mental health struggles without producing these additional challenges? Sun control window films provide an optimal solution for limiting heat gain, UV damage, and glare without eliminating sunlight.

Sun Control Window Film Provides…Heat Control

Sun control window film blocks up to 97% of infrared rays from passing through windows, reducing heat gain by up to 60%. As a result, interior temperatures fluctuate less, and occupants enjoy enhanced comfort. Additionally, maintaining a consistent interior temperature independent of the weather outside allows for improved energy efficiency and lower energy costs.

UV Protection

The sun’s UV rays are the primary cause of fading. UV radiation initiates a chemical change in the pigments of artwork, fabric, wood surfaces, and other materials. Sun control window film reflects up to 99% of UV rays, dramatically slowing the fading process.

Glare Reduction

Although we understand that exposure to sunlight is essential for our mental health, the “too much of a good thing” predicament applies to natural light. When an overabundance of sunlight passes through your windows, occupants experience glare that can impact their comfort and productivity. In severe cases, glare can cause eye strain and even migraines. Window film comes in a variety of tint levels, so you can tailor the amount of natural light entering your space to your requirements. Darker tints permit less light but still allow for outdoor views and a portion of natural light to enter your space. For these reasons, many people opt for window film over blinds.

Fostering Natural Light to Aid in Mental Health Initiatives

With sun control window film, you can maintain the natural light that is essential to our mental health without subjecting your property and its occupants to uncomfortable temperatures, poor energy efficiency, fading, and glare. Achieve the perfect balance by requesting a free window tinting consultation with the experts at Solar Film!

Locally owned and operated in Richmond, Virginia, for over 40 years, Solar Film helps businesses and homeowners throughout the Mid-Atlantic region find their ideal window tinting solution. We use premium quality  3M  materials for temperature control, glare reduction, UV protection, privacy, and security window film solutions. As a 3MAuthorized Dealer and a member of the Prestige Dealer Network, we offer the highest quality window film products on the market.  Get in touch  with us today for a free quote!

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