Using windows, not lamps, boosts productivity
It’s not in your head that the fluorescent lights in your office feel totally depressing. In a small study, volunteers worked from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. in a room either mainly lit either by daylight or artificial light. By the second day in those conditions, those who were taking advantage of sunlight were less sleepy at the end of the workday and performed better on cognitive performance tests. Keep the blinds open and you’ll cut your energy bill and feel more energized.
Turning electronics off at night can help you sleep
Shutting off lights and electronics at night can save on your energy bill and allow you to be sharper the next day. A small study from Korea found women who slept in dim light at night didn’t snooze as long, and their quality of sleep wasn’t as good. The researchers concluded that keeping the lights or TV on could interrupt a good night’s sleep.
