Daily light affects sleep and productivity of Czechs, according to a global survey

• The Indoor Generation report confirms that natural daylight affects sleep and productivity for people around the world.
• Daylight affects Italians and Slovaks the most, while Czechs are slightly above average among all the surveyed countries.
• 57% of surveyed Czechs believe that daylight impacts their sleep.
• Numerous studies show that sufficient natural daylight during the day contributes to better sleep at night.
• The consequences of poor sleep can include diabetes, heart disease, depression, and weight gain.
• More than two-thirds (68%) of surveyed Czechs believe that daylight influences their productivity.
• Given the findings and experiences, we must ask whether offices and schools provide the right environment for thinking and high productivity.

A global survey by YouGov among 16,000 respondents revealed that more than half of people (52%) believe that daylight affects their sleep. In the same survey, nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) think that daylight influences their productivity. "Czechs are slightly above average in this survey. A total of 57% of respondents believe that daylight affects their sleep and 68% think it also influences their productivity. Daylight impacts Italians the most, and surprisingly also Slovaks. Conversely, the British are the least affected by daylight," adds Klára Bukolská, lead architect at VELUX.

The global survey was conducted as part of a report aimed at highlighting the importance of living in healthy homes and the small changes everyone can make to improve their lives. Attention was focused on natural daylight in everyday life. The initial findings of the Indoor Generation report showed that nearly one-fifth (18%) of people spend almost the entire day in enclosed spaces (21 to 24 hours). "Many people around the world believe that daylight significantly impacts their sleep and productivity, and it is also very likely that these beliefs are true to some extent. Studies have shown that the amount of daylight may be too low for residents of Western countries," states Peter Foldbjerg, head of the VELUX department focusing on daylight, energy, and indoor climate.

Dr. Steven Lockley, a renowned neurologist and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, explains the impact of daylight on our brains as follows: "Light is an acute stimulant that acts directly on our brain, and if we are exposed to bright light during the day, we get a better stimulating effect. This can translate into better attention, improved cognitive functions, and potentially we can be more productive at work, in school, and so on."

These conclusions are also supported by research from the World Health Organization, which shows that we spend up to 90% of our time indoors and isolate ourselves from natural sources of nature. In the current lifestyle, society loses precious time to go outside and enjoy natural daylight.

As the days shorten and outdoor temperatures drop, the importance of daylight increases. A report published by the National Research Council in Canada indicates that people in Western countries may not be sufficiently exposed to daylight, which can diminish their well-being.

Adequate amounts of daylight during the day help you sleep better at night

Numerous studies have also shown the significance of daylight in promoting good sleep and highlight the negative impacts of lack of daylight on health. Dr. Steven Lockley from Harvard Medical School further elaborates on the influence of daylight on our 24-hour biological rhythm (the so-called circadian rhythm): "The alternation of light and dark is biologically crucial, and the role of light is to reset our circadian clocks every day. It resets our internal clocks to align with natural time."

Our internal clocks receive information about varying levels of daylight throughout the 24-hour cycle. We need enough light during the day and darkness at night to ensure good sleep. Poor sleep can lead to depression, diabetes, heart diseases, and weight gain. Other side effects of poor sleep can include an increased risk of workplace injuries, poorer concentration, bad moods, and difficulties in decision-making.

Daylight can help increase productivity

In the YouGov survey, 63% of people believe that daylight affects productivity. The connection between daylight and productivity at work in offices has also been thoroughly researched, and various studies show that daylight and views from windows enhance work performance. For example, call center workers processed calls 6% to 12% faster when they had the best view compared to those who had none. Other office employees achieved 10% to 25% better results in mental function and memory tests when they had the best possible views. "When we consider that personnel costs account for up to 90% of operational costs of a business, we must pose the question of whether our offices and schools provide the right environment for thinking and high productivity," concludes Bukolská.

Top tips for better sleep

• For better sleep at night, get as much daylight as possible during the day. At work or school, sit near a window that lets in sufficient daylight.
• Prevent light from entering the room where you sleep.
• Sleep in a cooler bedroom.
• Avoid screens (TV, phone, tablet) before bed as they emit blue light - this light stimulates the brain and keeps it alert at the wrong times.
• Establish a regular pre-sleep ritual - for example, read a book instead of watching a screen for a long time.
• If your children are afraid of the dark, provide them with red or orange night lights in their room, which are the least disruptive to sleep.

About the YouGov survey

The survey for the INDOOR GENERATION study was conducted in March and April 2018 by YouGov on a sample of approximately 16,000 homeowners in Europe and America (UK, USA, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain).

How does daylight affect your mood?

	Not at all %	Slightly %	Partially %	Significantly %	I don't know %
Denmark	11	17	29	42	2
United Kingdom	13	26	28	30	3
USA	18	16	26	36	4
Germany	8	15	35	39	4
France	8	19	32	38	3
Belgium	11	19	27	41	2
Netherlands	20	18	26	34	2
Czech Republic	10	19	27	43	1
Slovak Republic	8	13	29	47	2
Italy	10	14	24	52	1
Austria	7	16	33	43	1
Switzerland	8	16	31	43	2
All countries	11	18	29	39	3

How does daylight affect your sleep?

	Not at all %	Slightly %	Partially %	Significantly %	I don't know %
Denmark	19	29	25	20	7
United Kingdom	21	33	23	19	5
USA	22	18	26	29	5
Germany	12	27	30	27	5
France	15	29	28	23	6
Belgium	19	26	26	26	4
Netherlands	22	26	25	25	3
Czech Republic	14	28	27	30	2
Slovak Republic	9	27	26	35	3
Italy	14	23	28	34	1
Austria	12	28	27	30	2
Switzerland	15	29	26	26	3
All countries	17	27	26	26	4

How does daylight affect your productivity?

	Not at all %	Slightly %	Partially %	Significantly %	I don't know %
Denmark	10	21	34	30	5
United Kingdom	19	26	29	20	6
USA	21	14	26	34	5
Germany	8	21	38	29	5
France	12	23	32	25	7
Belgium	16	18	31	31	4
Netherlands	21	17	28	31	3
Czech Republic	12	19	33	35	1
Slovak Republic	8	15	33	42	3
Italy	12	14	31	41	2
Austria	8	21	37	31	2
Switzerland	10	20	38	29	3
All countries	14	19	32	31	4

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About VELUX
For 75 years, the VELUX Group has been improving living conditions for people around the world by providing them with daylight and fresh air through roof windows. Our product range includes roof windows and products for flat roof daylighting, along with a wide array of decorative elements and blinds, shades, installation solutions, and smart home controls. These products contribute to ensuring a healthy and sustainable indoor environment for work, study, play, and enjoyment. We operate globally - selling and manufacturing in over 40 countries and employing around 14,500 people worldwide. The VELUX Group is owned by VKR Holding A/S, whose shares are held by several foundations and the family. For more information, visit www.velux.cz.