During the COVID-19 lockdown, many businesses turned to working from home. A few years later, a lot of workplaces have introduced homeworking, or “hybrid working”, as a permanent way of working. There have been many discussions over whether homeworking increases productivity or is simply a distraction. However, whether we prefer working from home or in the office – it’s still important to create a space where we feel motivated and able to be productive.
Looking after our minds and bodies while working from home is important in ensuring we produce high-quality work to the best of our ability. The benefits of exposure to natural light have been proven in many studies, and most of us are already aware that taking a walk and getting exposure to the sun helps us to feel more positive. But, what about when it comes to homeworking – are we taking the time to ensure we get exposure to natural light, and why is this important?
The link between natural light, mental health and productivity
Even a few hours of natural light each day can have a major impact on your health, helping to improve your mood, maintain a healthy sleep cycle and even increase productivity.
Studies have shown that a lack of natural light can increase the risk of headaches, eye strain and drowsiness – all of which can be caused by using artificial lighting. In a recent study, Origin found that Brits are three times more likely to believe that their home is bad for their mental wellbeing if they have a lack of natural light. The study also discovered that people with poor light at home are ten times less likely to get a good night’s sleep.
Increased hours of sunlight can also heighten the brain’s production of the mood-enhancing chemical serotonin. Studies have discovered that the more sunlight we are exposed to, the more serotonin we produce. 
So, are homeworkers getting enough exposure to natural light?
To find out whether Brits are working smartly and taking care of our minds and bodies, Origin conducted a survey asking people about their homeworking habits, and how much they care about improving their homeworking setup. Here is what we found out:
60% of homeworkers don’t feel they utilise natural light while working
When we asked homeworkers whether they make the best use of natural light in their home, a shocking 60% of respondents admitted to not utilising natural light:
“If you work from home, do you feel you make the most of natural light in your homeworking environment?”
Interestingly, when we asked homeworkers whether they feel that working near a window does improve their mood and productivity, all of our respondents agreed that this improves their mood and working performance:
“Do you feel that sitting near a window or door that utilises natural light while working improves your productivity and mood?”
So, why is it that we aren’t making the most of natural light during a working day? Are we taking enough breaks, and do we put time aside to go outside during the day? When we asked homeworkers about their lifestyle habits while working from home, it became even more clear that we need to prioritise our health while homeworking. Here is what we discovered:
The majority of homeworkers in Britain don’t take regular breaks
In our survey, we found that, shockingly – the majority of homeworkers don’t even prioritise taking regular breaks:
“Do you take regular breaks during your working day, rather than just one lunch break?”
Taking regular breaks is important for our health and can provide us with the motivation and energy boost we need. Even a ten-minute walk in the day has been proven to improve focus and increase serotonin in the brain. However, research has shown that many adults struggle to fit in the time for a daily brisk walk. Our recent survey discovered that 65% of Brits don‘t take the time to go outside during a working day. A study by PHE looking at people’s perceptions of physical activity also found that many adults struggle to fit in exercise. Not having enough time (31%) was the main reason cited, followed by not feeling motivated (27%) and being too tired (25%). If you find you don’t have time in the day to get outside and enjoy the sunlight, there are many things you can do to ensure you have exposure to natural light in your home.
How can we make sure to utilise natural light during the working day?
With energy prices gradually rising in the UK, it is more important than ever to try and enjoy natural light in the home as much as possible. Internal room dividers that let the light in and don’t restrict our natural light can be a great solution for homeworking without compromising natural light. They can also help to create a separate working area in your home, creating more of a boundary between work and home. For example, if you work in the same area that you spend your leisure time, it can be more tempting to work later through the night and compromise boundaries. With over 70% of our respondents admitting that they don’t feel they create proper boundaries between work and leisure time; strengthening boundaries between work and home may be what we need to work smarter and more productively. Sleek, aluminium room dividers can also help to modernise and improve the aesthetic of your home setup, meaning you don’t have to compromise style.
Find out more about Origin’s OI-30 Internal Doors here.
Let the light in with Origin OI-30 Internal Doors
Internal doors with glass panels provide a light and airy feel to a room, so that although you are creating separate spaces with the divider, you aren't blocking out any natural light and can enjoy an expansive view, from one room into the next. This ensures that the glass door won't make a space seem smaller, so is especially ideal for those small, dark areas that you don't want to make feel more cramped or darker. When working from home, improving your surroundings and making this area brighter is a must.
The Origin Internal Door is also completely bespoke, allowing you to have complete control over choosing your customisation options. Opting for bespoke internal room dividers enables you to choose the doors that truly meet your needs without having to make any compromises. You can pick the most appropriate configuration and specification to match your specific taste and practical demands.
When you choose Origin for your internal room dividers, you can choose from options including:
- Different sizes and configurations
- Various handle styles and colours
- Vertical and horizontal bar options
- Glass glazing option you desire for your door
- Do you need a blackout option or a kickplate?
You can read our internal doors configuration guide for more information on your options.
