The benefits of sunlight on your productivity

As professionals constantly strive for greater productivity, many are looking for new ways to improve their work performance .

Research by EenVandaag shows that 61% of Dutch employees enjoy working from home. About 58% of this group indicate that it allows them to be more productive.

Others focus on their health to be more productive in the long run. This can range from optimizing sleep to taking strategic breaks for mental recovery time.

In this article we want to talk about sunlight and how it can help improve productivity.

Improved mood: Sunlight stimulates the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes a sense of well-being and happiness. A better mood can lead to increased motivation and productivity.

• Regulates our biorhythm - Our biological clock is strongly influenced by natural light. Regular exposure to sunlight helps regulate this rhythm, which contributes to better sleep, among other things. In this way, sunlight indirectly contributes to more productive work.
• Boosts energy levels - Morning sunlight helps produce stimulants (cortisol), making you feel more energetic. Sunlight is also necessary for the production of vitamin D, which also supports energy levels.
• Improves concentration - People who work in naturally lit environments have been shown to have better focus and concentration than those who work in artificially lit spaces.
• Strengthening the immune system - Sunlight helps produce vitamin D, which is beneficial for the immune system. A strong immune system helps prevent illness, contributing to reduced absenteeism and consistently higher productivity.
• Good for creativity - Natural light environments have a positive effect on creativity. This may be due to the positive mood and increased alertness that sunlight brings.
• Improves mood - Natural sunlight helps increase serotonin production. This substance helps you feel good and helps you achieve a relaxed state.

First of all, it's very important to identify your skin type. This can help you determine how sensitive you are to sunlight and how easily you burn.

These skin types range from type 1 to type 6, with type 1 burning very quickly (white/fair skin) and type 6 hardly burning (dark/black skin).

In addition, the following points are very important for responsible sunbathing:

• Avoid sunburn - Sunlight is very healthy for body and mind, but sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, be very mindful of your exposure to sunlight and avoid sunburn.
• Avoid sunlight during peak hours - Generally, the sun is strongest between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Try to avoid the sun between these times during the hot months, as the risk of sunburn is highest during these hours.
• Wear sunscreen for prolonged exposure - If you work outdoors a lot, it's important to protect yourself from sunlight during the warmer months. You can use a mineral-based sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
• Build it up very slowly - Try to expose yourself to sunlight regularly throughout the year. This way, your body gradually adjusts to sunlight and produces melanin. This substance makes your skin tan and thus better protects it from sunlight.
• Wear sunscreen for prolonged exposure - If you work outdoors a lot, it's important to protect yourself from sunlight during the warmer months. You can use a mineral-based sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
• Wear sunglasses - UV light can damage your eyes. Sunglasses can help reduce the harmful effects of UV light on your eyes.

• Take breaks outdoors - An average break lasts 20-30 minutes. Perfect for recharging in the sunlight.
• After waking up, go outside for a while - This will help you feel more energetic in the morning and is good for your biological clock.
• Ensure natural light in your office – this is good for productivity. However, double glazing blocks almost all UV light, which means you won't produce vitamin D.
• Get out and about more often - Walking and cycling are not only good for getting more exercise, they also give you more exposure to sunlight.
• Hold meetings outside - An outdoor meeting will help you become more creative and feel more energetic.

Sunlight is a highly underrated tool for improving your productivity . This effect is greatest in people who currently have insufficient sunlight exposure.

However, it's important to do this in moderation and ensure you don't burn. This can increase the risk of skin cancer and is also detrimental to your productivity because it causes stress and pain.

Spending more time outdoors (meetings, breaks, walks) allows you to get more sunlight without much effort. This helps improve your productivity and health.