Well-being in the workplace is a hot topic - and for all the right reasons. We all know that a happy workforce is a more productive one. So what part can lighting play in this? The role of lighting as part of our well-being is hugely underplayed and yet it can have an enormous impact on how we feel - and therefore, how we perform.
LEDs magazine cited a recent survey in which... "more than 87% of standard-day working people (9:00 AM–5:00 PM) have some form of “social jet lag,” a term used to describe the issues that arise from irregular sleeping patterns including fatigue, psychological stress, and poor health. In the next year, social jet lag will be exacerbated by the fact that current LED spectra can stimulate nonvisual photoreceptors, which will in turn further expose us to physiological risks when we spend time in poorly-lit or overly-bright settings."
We all spend much more time indoors than we used to and therefore our indoor lighting has a deeper effect on our well-being. Circadian disruption can lead to all sorts of issues including depression, insomnia and even diabetes. This leads us to consider how lighting can be designed to minimise the effects that can reduce our ability to focus and concentrate.
Our daily lighting quota also affects our ability to sleep as our natural rhythms are increasingly dictated by artificial light sources and not natural light. How often do we emerge form a building to discover it is lighter or darker than we imagined? Balancing LED efficiency with our biological make-up is something for the future - making sure that lighting reflects our natural circadian patterns which will benefit us all.
The dilemma, of course, will be how we choreograph commercial needs with our own well-being. It makes perfect sense for office workers to enjoy natural light. Although those arriving for the early shift in the dark might not appreciate a true reflection of the outdoors at 5am! And it won't be very good for business if our intimate dining experience forgoes candles and low mood lighting for a dose of grey day reality! That said, the key is probably going to be in the word 'balance' - as with everything sensible in life.
Implementing lighting that is largely reflective of natural light patterns and circadian cycles will be invaluable to how we feel. This is something to consider as lighting technology develops and businesses likes ours - with expert lighting designers and technicians - can advise on. Every situation is unique and we can work with you to integrate hard-working, intelligent solutions with commercial needs.