Natural light’s benefits are manifold – from improved mental health to better energy efficiency, harnessing the sun’s rays and putting them to good use can help both you and your home. Far too few people understand the real benefits of natural light, and we’re here to explain them in detail.
Are you ready to learn more about how natural light can benefit you and your home alike? Then throw open the curtains and let’s get started.
Physical and mental benefits
Let’s explore the physical and mental benefits of natural light.
Boosts vitamin D
One of natural light’s benefits is the ability to increase your levels of vitamin D, vital to a healthy body and healthy mind. Vitamin D is produced by your body when you are exposed to sunlight. This is why it’s important to spend time outdoors during daylight hours, but do be sure to wear sunblock if it’s a sunny day, as this will protect your skin and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Improved productivity and focus
Natural light has a huge role to play in keeping you productive during the working day. This is one of the biggest benefits of natural light in buildings, whether we’re discussing your home or an office. Natural light helps to maintain something called your circadian rhythm, essentially your body’s internal clock, helping you have the energy that you need when you need it. Natural daylight’s energy-boosting powers are not inhibited by windows, allowing you to make the most of its productivity-improving powers even during cold winter days.
Learn more about the importance of natural light in the workplace.
Improved circadian rhythms
We talked about natural light’s beneficial effect on your circadian rhythm in the last point, but it helps you with far more than just productivity. Another of natural light’s benefits is its ability to help you sleep better. This may seem puzzling, as few of us find it easy to sleep while it’s light outside. However, seeing and feeling the sunlight allows our body to know it’s daytime, and accordingly winds down your energy when it’s dark. This means that natural light, whether you receive it by going outside or through a roof window, can help you sleep better too!
Improved psychological wellbeing
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a common issue that tends to affect people during the dark winter days, where sunlight is at a minimum. It’s all too easy to spend the few daylight hours we have indoors, away from natural light. Windows can help SAD, as noted by the NHS, but it’s not only people who suffer from SAD whose mental health can be improved through natural light.
Natural light has been shown to have a large and beneficial effect on mental health. Low levels of natural light have been associated with low mood and poor sleep quality, which in itself can have a knock-on effect on your psychological health.
Limits health risks related to fluorescent lighting
Fluorescent lighting is a very common feature of offices, homes, schools and many other buildings. While the lights are undoubtedly useful and produce bright light, they are not without their health risks. Fluorescent lights contain mercury, which is a highly toxic element, and they also emit ultraviolet light – too much exposure to UV light is thought to cause skin problems and can also cause issues for your eyes.
Benefits for homes
So far, we have explored natural light’s benefits for you, but it can also help your home. In this section of the guide, we will explore the benefits of natural light in your home.
Improved energy efficiency
The more natural light you have in your home, the less you will need to rely on artificial lighting. This, by itself, can reduce your energy bills, but another great benefit of natural light is a potential reduction in heating costs. Natural light can warm rooms considerably, even during winter on sunny days, which means that you won’t need to use central heating as much, reducing the strain on your wallet.
A brighter space
Brighter spaces are not only good for your health, but they will also be great for close work such as crafting or reading. A brighter space means reduced eye strain and makes it easier to spend time doing what you love.
Mould prevention
We’ve all had the experience of having to fight mould tooth and nail, whether in your home or an outbuilding. Mould cannot cope with ultraviolet light, which kills most mould spores, and even sunlight that enters your home through windows can prevent mould growth. As mould can have severe effects on your respiratory health, preventing it from growing should always be your priority, and increasing the amount of natural light in your home is one of the best ways to do that.
On the topic of mould, learn why roof ventilation is important and how to stop condensation on roof lanterns. Condensation may be a sign that you need to replace your windows. Learn how to know
in our guide.
Attractive designs
Natural light can be harnessed in any number of ways, but many of these ways can also improve the way your home looks. For example, you could choose to increase the level of natural light in your home by adding circular rooflights, giving your home a crisp and modern appearance, or you could opt for a roof lantern to allow the maximum possible amount of sunlight into your home.
Learn what a roof lantern is in our detailed guide.
Better views
Adding windows not only increases the level of natural light in your home, but also provides you with stunning views. Well-placed windows can give you views of your surroundings, trees and other plants, and, of course, the sky and its ever-changing seasonal panorama. Better views will help you feel more connected with the great outdoors while at home.
The illusion of more space
Have you ever noticed that darker homes tend to feel more cramped? It’s not a coincidence – increased natural light can make a home feel a lot airier and more spacious. Natural light reduces the amount of shadows in a room, reducing the size of dark corners, while sunlight bouncing around the room can make a room seem deeper. Not only this, but windows draw your eye, extending your sightline out of your room and into the surrounding landscape.
Benefits of increased natural light in the workplace
Combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder that can affect people with or without pre-existing mental health conditions. It causes noticeable drops in mood during seasonal changes, particularly throughout the winter months.
SAD is widely believed to be linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during winter. This is partly due to lower levels of vitamin D absorbed by the body, as well as the role sunlight plays in regulating the body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, which controls sleep patterns.
It is estimated that around 6% of the general population are affected by SAD, with a further 10–25% of people with existing mental health conditions also experiencing seasonal mood changes.
During the winter months, a skylight installation can introduce additional natural light into spaces that would otherwise rely heavily on artificial lighting. Increasing access to daylight throughout the working day can help maximise vitamin D absorption, supporting a healthier and more comfortable working environment.
A healthier workforce
According to studies by Cornell University in New York, workers exposed to natural lighting can experience up to an 84% reduction in health issues such as headaches, blurred vision, and eyestrain. Fatigue and tiredness are also linked to a range of wider health concerns, meaning the benefits of a well-lit working environment should not be underestimated.
Reduce utility costs
Another advantage of skylight installations is the potential to reduce utility costs by decreasing the need for powered lighting during daylight hours. In the current economic climate, exploring options to improve energy efficiency is increasingly important. Over time, the initial cost of installing skylights can contribute to more sustainable long-term building costs.
Spatial and organisational advantages
One of the main limitations of traditional windows is the amount of wall space they occupy. Areas around windows often cannot be used without blocking light or restricting ventilation, which must be factored into floor-plan design. This can affect a wide range of commercial buildings, including offices, warehouses, and industrial spaces.
As a result, businesses may need to lease or purchase larger premises simply to achieve usable wall and floor space, increasing both property and running costs such as heating and lighting. Installing roof skylights can help reduce these issues by limiting reliance on traditional windows while still maximising natural light.
This allows wall space to be used more effectively, either enabling businesses to operate in smaller premises or freeing up room to expand operations within an existing building.
A ventilated workspace
Improved organisation and use of space are not the only benefits of rooflights. Choosing opening skylights can also enhance ventilation and natural light distribution throughout a workspace. Unlike wall-mounted windows, rooflights are less affected by surrounding buildings that may block light or restrict airflow.
Opening roof skylights can capture daylight for longer periods as the sun moves across the sky, while also allowing access to cleaner air above the building. This improves ventilation without the disruption often caused by gusts entering through wall windows, helping maintain a more comfortable and controlled working environment.
Increase your building’s footprint
Rooflights can also help businesses make better use of existing space. In buildings with loft or attic areas, installing skylights can transform underused spaces into functional offices, storage areas, or staff break rooms. Pitched roof windows are particularly well-suited to sloped roof structures.
Improved light and ventilation can unlock new uses for existing areas, supporting better organisation and more efficient working practices. In some cases, newly created spaces can even be rented out, generating additional income. To fully realise the potential of skylights, it’s important to work with an experienced glazing specialist, such as Toughened Glass Systems.
Why is natural light important in winter?
Shorter days
When the clocks go back by an hour at the end of October, it marks the start of shorter days. In the UK, the winter months are considerably darker, with gloomy mornings and early evenings, with daylight hours dropping to as little as eight hours a day. This is caused by the Earth’s rotational axis tilting at 23 degrees as it orbits the sun, a change that is particularly noticeable at northern latitudes such as the UK.
The lack of sunlight during winter is a major contributor to reduced energy levels, often leading to lower productivity and motivation. When light levels are low, the body produces more melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleep, which can make it harder to stay alert and focused during the day. This helps explain why many people struggle with concentration during the darker winter months.
Cold and gloomy weather
According to the NHS, around 2 million people in the UK are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), sometimes referred to as winter depression. Symptoms often begin in autumn as daylight hours reduce and typically peak during December, January and February.
Gloomy weather can have a significant impact on mental well-being, partly due to reduced vitamin D production. The body creates vitamin D through exposure to direct sunlight, and lower levels have been linked to fatigue, low mood, and reduced motivation. These factors can make winter feel particularly draining, especially when combined with colder temperatures that discourage outdoor activity and movement.
Weakened immune systems
Winter is also a time when people are more susceptible to illness. Cold air entering the nose and upper airways can weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to common viruses such as colds and flu, which often linger longer than during warmer months.
Illness can contribute to sluggishness, brain fog, and reduced concentration, making everyday tasks feel more demanding. Combined with lower daylight levels, this can further affect productivity and overall well-being during winter.
Holiday blues
While the festive period is often a highlight of winter, it can also bring disruption. The run-up to Christmas can be stressful, with work deadlines, social commitments, and distractions competing for attention.
Once the festivities are over, many people experience a dip in motivation during the month of January. Short days, reduced natural light, and the return to routine can make this period particularly challenging. Creating brighter indoor environments through increased access to natural daylight can help make spaces feel more uplifting and supportive during this post-holiday lull.
How skylights increase natural light
One of the greatest ways to make a big improvement to the level of natural light in your home is to add a skylight or rooflight to your home. These features are not bound to a specific geographical direction like traditional windows, meaning that you can reap natural light’s benefits throughout the day, rather than only at specific times.
Learn more about the top benefits of skylights in our guide.
Get your skylight today
At Toughened Glass Systems, we offer a wide range of different skylights and rooflights, from roof windows to ventilated rooflights, that will improve airflow as well as natural light. If you are interested in adding a skylight to your home or business, we would be happy to help you find the best option for your building so you can enjoy all of the benefits of natural light. If you have any questions or would appreciate guidance on buying your new roof window, please contact us today, and our experienced team will be happy to help you.
Shop our rooflights:
We stock an impressive range of rooflights and skylights, including:
Get yours today, or contact us if you have any questions.
More helpful articles
- How Many Windows Do I Need for My Room?
- How to Increase Natural Light in a Room
- Benefits of Natural Light in the Workplace
- Can a Rooflight Add Value to Your Home?
- How to Improve Ventilation in a Room
- Top Benefits of Skylights
FAQs
What does natural light do to your brain?
Natural light can have many positive effects on the brain. It can help regulate your body clock, enhance your mood, make vitamin D, and keep you alert throughout the day, as well as helping you manage SAD.
Is natural sunlight good for you?
Natural sunlight is very good for you – it allows your body to make vitamin D, helps you sleep better, and more. However, too much sunlight can also increase your risk of skin cancer due to the presence of ultraviolet rays, so be sure to wear sunblock outdoors on sunny days.
What are the advantages of natural light over artificial light?
Natural light offers a range of different benefits that artificial light does not. For example, artificial light cannot typically be used by your body to make vitamin D, nor does it offer a full-colour spectrum as natural light does. It also tends to be gentler on your eyes than artificial light, which can be very harsh.
What are some easy ways to increase natural light in my home?
Some easy ways to increase the levels of natural light in your home include removing furniture from in front of windows, reducing the general level of clutter in your home, and trimming any plants that could be inhibiting the flow of natural light. For more options, please read our article on how to increase the level of natural light in your home.