Tips for Working From Home
Working from home has been on the rise in recent years. According to a study done by FlexJobs, 3.9 million Americans worked from home from 2005 to 2018. That's a 115% increase from the beginning to the end of that period. Add in the need to work from home because of COVID-19, and the numbers are tremendous.
And while there are many benefits to working from home, it can also be isolating and depressing. Increasing teleworking patterns have been a feature of the pandemic, and as the number of people who can work from home continues to grow, so does the need for information on how to make the most of this arrangement.
In this article, we will discuss tips for working from home using light that will help you stay happier and more energetic when you’re working from home during COVID-19 and other difficult times.
How Does Light Really Help Us?
Science has discovered that exposure to sunlight is beneficial to our moods, sleeping patterns, stress reduction, and more. Unfortunately, many of us work in dark, windowless offices, whether it's at a traditional office or home office.
Bright light therapy is proven to be effective for depression and many other conditions. For instance, a Danish study showed that exposure to a bright light device was found to be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy in treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
While most people don't suffer from serious mood disorders like SAD, many of us do experience some of the "winter blues" or "cabin fever" effects during the colder months that come with shorter days.
Light therapy helps to combat depression from working at home and other similar negative feelings by increasing levels of serotonin, the happy hormone. So, if you are one of the many working from home, it is important to get as much bright light as possible.
How Can Bright Health’s LT Lamp Help Those Who WFH?
There are many benefits of using a light therapy lamp at your work desk, and that's where Bright Health comes in. Our sun lamp for the office can simulate sunlight and help increase your energy levels and mood when you are working from home.
What follows are some of the ways the device can alleviate the negative impacts of working from home and help you stay productive and motivated.
Improves Sleep Schedule
Light therapy lamps help to regulate your sleep schedule by releasing hormones in your brain that reset your body's internal clock. It does this by emitting a bright light that is similar to natural sunlight. This will help you stay on track with your sleep schedule, even if you are working from home, and have more flexibility with your hours.
Helps with Concentration
The bright light from the lamp also reset your body's internal clock in a way that helps you focus and concentrate when working from home. A sun lamp for your windowless office is especially helpful if you are working in a dark office or one that doesn’t have windows. The light will help to stimulate your brain and keep you stay alert during the day.
Boosts Energy and Mental Alertness
Once your body clock is regulated, and your body begins to naturally produce the required hormones, your sleep, energy, and mental alertness all improve. The light will help you stay awake and alert during the day.
Reduces Stress Hormones
No one can be very productive if they are filled with anxiety that can build up with WFH. And no amount of Zoom meetings or Peloton rides can fix it. Studies show that light therapy helps people get better at coping with anxiety, which is important if you are working from home and feeling overwhelmed or stressed. The lamp will help to calm and relax your mind, making it easier for you to focus on what you need to do.
Helps with Depression
Being inside all day can be depressing, but the light from the lamp can help to improve your mood by increasing serotonin levels in your brain. This is the hormone that is responsible for making you feel happy. If you are working from home and feeling down, the light therapy lamp can help to improve your mood and make it easier for you to focus on that spreadsheet you’re trying to pound out for tomorrow’s morning meeting.
How to Use a Light Therapy Lamp at Work
To get the recommended amount of light, simply set up the 14" Bright Health Light Therapy Lamp on your workspace. You will need to leave it on for 20-30 minutes to get the same benefits of natural light.
The best time for most people to use our desk sun lamp is in the morning, but you can also use it in the afternoon if you have trouble staying alert later in the day. The device provides 10,000 LUX, which is the maximum light level that is required for relief. It also has four brightness settings and its unique design has a 360° Bright Light coverage area.
Also, with its attractive & unique design, you can use our Bright Health Light Therapy Lamp as an office décor item and leave it out for easy access the next time you use it.
So, if you are looking for a way to improve your productivity and mental health while working from home, be sure to check out Bright Health!