When talking about work environment, there isn't as much discussion around the lighting as there is around say, the furniture or interpersonal relationships. But lighting is an important aspect of your work environment!
Imagine spending all day working in a dimly lit room. Do you think you'd be able to maximize your productivity? Probably not!
In fact, the way a room is lit has a direct effect on mood and energy levels, and thus, your productivity as well! Let's take a look at the importance of good workplace lighting.
Benefits of Good Lighting
Good lighting has a number of benefits, especially when it comes to the workplace.
Reduced Accidents & Injuries
Good lighting often means better visibility, which helps employees avoid the risk of injury. In dimly lit or darker workplaces, tripping hazards are less likely to be seen, which can cause falls and injuries. With good, bright lighting, employees are more aware of their surroundings and can thus protect themselves better.
Boosts Productivity
The environment you're in plays a major role in how productive you can really be, and lighting has a major role to play in this. Good lighting helps regulate your hormones and circadian rhythms (which is your sleep cycle) which helps you feel more productive. When you're working in good lighting, your body is aware of the fact that it's meant to be awake and have more energy, and thus it produces as much.
In dimmer lighting, you'll find that you feel a lot sleepier and lethargic than if you were sitting in a bright room. The circadian rhythm is the reason behind that.
Boosts Mood
Did you know light also affects your mood? Researchers believe that the kind of light you're in also affects how you perceive heat, which triggers our emotions in a specific way. In brighter lights, you're likely to feel more intensely than in dimmer lights. However, this doesn't mean that brighter lights are automatically better.
Sometimes lighting can be a bit too intense, which can trigger negative emotions. For example, in office spaces with fluorescent bulbs, the harshness of the lights can actually make you feel worse. Dimming or increasing the light can help with regulating emotions, but having a good balance is necessary.
You don't want your office space to be so bright that the harshness becomes painful, but you also don't want it to be so dim that you can't get any work done.
Another way lighting affects mood is that it triggers the release of serotonin, which is the happy hormone in your body. When this is released, not only do you feel better about yourself - less stress, less fatigue and depression, it also makes you feel more energized.
While this is obviously different for everyone, having more energy will often result in you getting more work done, and also take care of your workplace ergonomics with a lot more vigilance. After all, when you're depressed, you're more likely to slouch over because of it.
Eye Strain & Fatigue
Lighting also helps with protecting your eyes! While there are myths around lighting permanently affecting your eyesight, there isn't quite enough research to support this idea.
What there is research around, however, is the fact that lighting can determine how much strain you're putting on your eyes. In a dimly lit room, for example, you have to strain harder to see what you're doing, but the same is true for a very brightly lit room. Not only does this result in fatigue and tiredness, it also has an impact on your work. You're bound to be a lot less productive if your health is not in good condition!
The best kind of lighting would be one with balance - not too bright and not too dim.
Choosing The Best Kind of Office Lighting
With so many different types of lights available, and the importance of good lighting lingering in your brain, you'd want to know how to pick the best lights for your office.
Natural Light
Natural light is, by far, the best kind of lighting no matter what. In fact, employees who see more natural light in the office are much more likely to avoid problems like headaches and eye strain. Natural light is also the kind of lighting that can keep your circadian rhythm in check so that employees can work their best during the day and have a good, refreshing sleep at night.
It's important to make sure that your office space can get as much natural light as possible. Having windows that allow light to enter the room and taking into consideration the effects of nearby buildings. If windows are not possible, skylights should be considered.
The bottom line is that natural light is important - and in fact, necessary - and you should absolutely take advantage of its benefits to the max.
But natural light on its own isn't quite enough. After all, you can only have so many windows and skylights. Most offices will keep the areas with the most sunlight dedicated as common areas so that as many people as possible can have access to it.
Using LED Lights Instead of Fluorescent Ones
Fluorescent lights were frequently used in office spaces in the past, but in recent years, LED lights have taken over. These are a lot more beneficial not just in terms of their energy efficiency, but also for employees' health.
LED lights admittedly are a bit more expensive, but they last a lot longer than fluorescent bulbs and thus save money in the long-run. More importantly, LED lights are safer for employee health because they are a lot less harsher than fluorescent lighting.
In fact, fluorescent lights can also trigger migraines, although they don't actually cause them. In fact, since a lot of employees tend to stay behind after the sun has gone down, they need lights that don't interfere with their circadian rhythm. Fluorescent lighting tends to inhibit the production of melatonin, which helps you sleep, and this can have a negative effect.
Color & Temperature
The color and temperature of the lights are also important. These depend greatly on what you're using the space for. For example, warmer lights are better for environments that are meant for relaxing in, while cooler lights work better for working or concentrating.
It's best if the color of the light changes depending on the time of the day. In the mornings, cooler lights are better since they create a more productive environment, but if they get warmer as the day goes by, it can help employees wind down so that they leave the workplace more relaxed than they would otherwise. However, this may not always be possible.
Use Task Lighting at Every Station
Beyond just having good lighting available, it's a good idea to have task lighting at every station so that employees can focus better. Ambient light can do quite a lot to help with productivity, but at the end of the day, it's not something employees can adjust depending on their needs.
That's why task lighting is a good idea. Giving your employees a desk lamp that they can keep around and adjust their own workspace will help them focus and increase their productivity as well.
FlexiSpot Black Metal Table Lamp
The FlexiSpot Metal Table Lamp is a great way to make sure that your lighting is also appropriate for you to work in.
This table lamp has a dimmable technology so you can adjust the brightness depending on how you prefer it. Table lamps are great for focusing on one task, since they are so focused in one area.
The lamp comes with sensor tech, so you can adjust the lighting by tapping anywhere on the base or pole.
It can be used as a nightlight on your bedside table, a table lamp for your desk or living room, or anything else, depending on your needs. Just a simple tap will light it up for you, and the touch control allows you to have a different lighting experience.
The head of the desk also has an adjustment option, while the rotary joint can be rotated by about 330°. Therefore, the lamp can be used over a wide area that is perfect for when you're working or studying. It comes with a built-in USB charger so you can charge your devices at any time, and you don't even need to have the light on for it.
The lamp also has a matte black and brass gold finish, giving it a vintage, but stylish look. It is made of heavy-duty metal, which makes it durable and you don't have to worry about damage.
Being a neutral color, the lamp can be used in any kind of room - from bedrooms to home offices and even workplaces - and still be able to blend in perfectly.
The right lights can do wonders to make your workspace a more productive place, and these things should be taken into consideration when setting it up.
