A Natural Way to Reduce Anxiety and Depression Homeowners May Not Think About
Since 2007, anxiety and depression have been on the rise in America. Many people don’t want to turn to medication but would prefer to find a natural way to reduce anxiety and depression. Multiple studies have shown that daylight and fresh air help boost overall mental health.
There is no single source that can be pointed out as the cause of anxiety or depression. However, for some, relief is felt when skylight shades go up and skylights are opened, letting in daylight and fresh air. In fact, a view that includes layers of sky, city, or landscape, and ground can counteract tiring monotony and help relieve the feeling of being closed in.
How Adults Use Daylight as a Natural Way to Reduce Anxiety and Depression
According to a global survey, 71% of people report daylight positively affects their stress levels. This alone shows that daylight is a natural way to reduce anxiety and depression. However, multiple studies have been conducted on the correlation between daylight and positive mental health. One study interviewed 787 operating room nurses who self-reported about one hour of daylight exposure. Using multiple linear regression analyses, it was found that these nurses suffered from poor mental health, which was linked to sleep regularity issues.
Another study analyzed data from 444 people from the US and India. Direct and indirect daylight were shown to have an impact on mental health. This study and many more have found that direct daylight reduces anxiety while indirect daylight depresses the mood. Taking the time to bask in the direct daylight any time of day has been shown to release serotonin, sometimes referred to as the “happy hormone.” These higher serotonin levels can also help with regulating sleep and boosting energy levels, both of which can have an indirect effect on reducing anxiety.
Fresh Air Reduces Anxiety and Depression Further
Research done by the University of Essex found that mood and self-esteem are elevated by fresh air. It increases the amount of oxygen available. This increased oxygen fills the lungs and allows more oxygen into the brain. Increasing oxygen in the brain also releases serotonin. Combining increased time in daylight with increased levels of oxygen has a compound effect that is extremely beneficial to combating anxiety. For a family to take advantage of these positive effects, all it takes is 2 to 4 twenty-minute periods of open skylights and windows. This creates a powerful stack effect that cleans a home’s interior air environment.
Studies have shown that household indoor pollutants, such as volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), can exacerbate conditions such as major depression and bipolar disorder. This kind of poor indoor air quality also leads to disrupted sleep, which is one of the leading causes of mental health issues.
VELUX Skylights Let in 2.5 Times More Daylight Than Vertical Windows
For most people, going outside, standing in the sunshine, and inhaling fresh air is a natural way to reduce anxiety and depression. It is the reason so many go on vacation to the beach or mountains. However, not everyone can go on one of these excursions whenever they are feeling anxious of depressed. VELUX Skylight Systems are a great way to bring the outdoors inside the home. They offer two and a half times the amount of daylight as vertical windows and can help to naturally reduce anxiety and depression.
Skylight installation assistance is available for builders, remodelers, and roofers. Comprehensive videos are available on our Pro website. More videos are available on our YouTube channel. VELUX Pro Partner Academies are available in select areas. They offer hands-on skylight installation training. In-classroom and on-the-job training are both available.
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