More power through daylight - 4 tips for a lack of light

Daylight is of vital importance to humans and can significantly affect our health. This is because it controls the interaction of the hormones melatonin and serotonin in the body, and as such our internal clock, our biorhythm, sleep and mood. Insufficient exposure to sunlight increases the risk of health problems and issues with mood. To help you boost energy levels during the shorter days of the year with less light, below are some ideas which can be easily integrated into everyday life.

Compare: on a beautiful summer's day, the outdoor light intensity is up to 100,000 lux; in winter, under a clouded sky, it is only around 2,500 to 3,000 lux. What's more, we tend to spend more time indoors in autumn and winter, which can further exacerbate light deficiency. Typical signs of daylight deficiency are a sense of imbalance, fatigue, mood swings, and disruption to sleep and concentration. Scientific research has found that even half an hour of daylight a day can make a valuable contribution to our health and well-being. There are simple tips for boosting energy at times of light deficiency which can easily be implemented in everyday life.

Tip 1: Light therapy using a daylight lamp
Bring the sun into your home with Beurer daylight therapy lamps. The new TL 95 delivers a light intensity of approx. 10,000 lux (distance: 25 cm) and simulates near-natural daylight thanks to the SunLike® LED. As such it has a similar positive effect on our bodies as natural daylight, and is perfect for effective light therapy. Daylight therapy lamps help you avoid symptoms of light deficiency and counteract the effects of insufficient light exposure. Serotonin production is stimulated, our internal clock is brought back into sync and we feel fitter, revitalised and rebalanced.

Tip 2: Spend a lot of time in the fresh air
When it's cold and wet outside, it can be much harder to get yourself out for a walk in the open air. And when working from home too, we tend to withdraw into our own four walls. Although autumn and winter days provide lower light intensity than occurs in summer, the body still benefits from natural daylight during these seasons. It causes the release of the happiness hormone, serotonin, which lifts mood and counteracts feelings of depression. So why not leave the car where it is and travel short distances on foot or by bike? Doing so is not only good for your own well-being, but also for the environment.

Tip 3: Have a workplace with plenty of daylight
Whether you work at home or elsewhere, you ideally want a working environment with plenty of daylight. Setting yourself up in a bright spot next to a window means you benefit from added natural daylight while indoors – though it is no substitute for getting outside. An ideal office lighting system should change colour temperature throughout the day, to support employees in phases of high concentration or relaxation. This increases motivation and productivity. The space-saving TL 35 delivers an extra dose of daylight at your desk. With 3 adjustable colour temperatures to imitate the course of a sunny day, 4 dimmable brightness levels and an illumination intensity of approx. 10,000 lux ("therapy" setting, distance: 13 cm), this daylight therapy lamp is ideal as an accessory while you are working.

Tip 4: Spend your lunch break outside
If you leave home in the morning when it's still dark, and then don't come back until late in the evening, you might have little opportunity to provide the body with sufficient daylight. It helps if you make the effort to specifically spend the lunch break outdoors – what's more, grabbing a midday bite to eat with a nice colleague and then taking a walk through the snow is also a great stress-buster.