IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF NATURAL LIGHT IN YOUR HOME Natural light from above important for health

Bringing more natural light into our daily lives may be more important for our health than we realize. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is known to be related to how much sunlight we receive. Individuals with SAD may experience emotional depression, a drop in physical energy, increased appetite, and increased need for sleep.
According to WebMD Medical News, our mood is influenced by a complex web of relationships between sunlight, melatonin (the sleep hormone) and serotonin (the hormone associated with wakefulness and elevated mood). As darkness falls, our melatonin levels naturally increase. And as the morning light emerges, melatonin levels decrease.
Serotonin levels increase when we are exposed to bright light — a major reason why moods tend to be more elevated during the summer. It is known that bright-light therapy can bring benefits to people with SAD because light affects the melatonin-serotonin system and elevates mood. In fact, some researchers are concluding that light therapy may help to alleviate SAD symptoms faster than antidepressant drugs. In a review of clinical trials of light therapy, Dr. Daniel Kripke at the University of California, San Diego reported that light therapy benefits not only SAD patients but also people suffering from other forms of depression.
Joe Patrick, senior product manager for VELUX America, points out that sunlight enters our homes through windows, doors and skylights. “Skylights admit 30 percent more light than vertical windows in dormers, and provide the drama of a sky view that can’t be achieved with vertical windows,” Patrick says. “And while increasing our exposure to balanced and healthful natural light, skylights, which can also provide ventilation, offer much more privacy without taking up valuable wall space that can be used for decorating or storage.”

(more)
Page 2 of 2 – Light From Above & Health

And now is a particularly good time to consider upgrading existing skylights or adding new units to qualify for a tax credit of up to $200 under the Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005.
For more information on the benefits of natural light and skylight selection call
1-800-283-2831 or visit www.veluxusa.com. For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency visit www.energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit www.nfrc.org or www.efficientwindows.org.

# # #


Image caption – Many areas of the home can benefit from additional natural light and ventilation through skylights.

VELUX America Information Series No. 3/06 – Light From Above & Health – Apx. 370 Words – 2nd Qt. - 2006

Media contact:
Keith Hobbs - Business Services Associates, Inc. - 9413 Greenfield Drive
Raleigh, NC 27615-2306 - Phone – 919.844.0064 - E-mail – khobbs@nc.rr.com

For quick access to natural light feature material and background information, news releases, press kits and high-resolution images visit www.veluxusa.com and go to the News Media Home section under “Professionals.”