The dreaded “afternoon slump” is a familiar phenomenon for many office workers. That draggy feeling of low energy and attention is almost expected in a typical workday. While a coffee, snacks, or a brisk walk may provide a temporary fix, what’s one culprit that’s frequently overlooked?… The quality of the light in our environment.
In an era when artificial light and digital screens are more abundant than ever, the impact of light on our brains is crucial to our overall well-being. Light cues regulate our biology, and when they are suboptimal, so are our alertness and productivity.
Let’s take a look at how strategic light exposure, particularly the use of Red light therapy (RLT), can complement natural lighting and potentially enhance your focus and productivity in office spaces.
Why Your Office Environment Drains Your Energy
Modern office lighting relies on affordable, long-lasting fluorescent or LED bulbs. Though these sources are bright, they frequently emit a harsh or flickering light, which can strain the eyes and interrupt our body’s natural rhythm.
A 2019 study in The Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that workers with no natural light exposure reported lower quality of sleep[1] and reduced overall well-being than those who were exposed to natural light.
Artificial lights may cause
- Eye strain
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Chronic feeling of tiredness
Moreover, indoor lighting lacks the full spectrum of natural sunlight, essential for a healthy circadian rhythm. This can leave employees feeling tired, groggy, or mentally foggy, ultimately reducing their productivity.
The Unquestionable Power of Natural Sunlight
Sunlight is a potent biological modulator. It affects our circadian rhythm — the internal body clock that controls sleep-wake cycles, hormone production, and other physiological processes.
Exposure to sunlight releases the hormone cortisol, which, in turn, aids in suppressing melatonin. This process also produces serotonin, a hormone linked to mood and attentiveness.
Several studies have shown that exposure to daylight results in improved
- Cognitive performance
- Mood stability
- Sleep quality at night
- Immune system
Beyond these advantages, sunlight encourages creativity, boosts energy, and supports cardiovascular health by assisting in blood pressure management. It can even disinfect the environment naturally and reduce harmful bacteria and viruses, suggesting sunlight is not just a benefit to ourselves but also to the environment.
When Natural Light Is Not an Option?
While we know the positive effects of sunlight, many of us don’t have enough access to it in office settings. Additionally, the geographical location of individuals, those living in northern latitudes, has diminished access to sunlight. Lack of sun during the darker months also disrupts mental health, leading to depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Fortunately, scientists have discovered red light therapy as a substitute for sunlight, which could replicate or augment the effects of natural light.
Forward-thinking tech companies have already started to take advantage of RLT-based innovations. For example, some companies have begun installing circadian-responsive light systems that change throughout the day, emitting red and blue light to mimic natural lighting patterns. Not only do these installations help increase productivity, but they also indicate a commitment to employee health and innovation.
A New Wavelength of Workplace Productivity
Enter red light therapy (RLT), a new approach that harnesses the healing properties of light to improve cellular and brain function. Contrary to conventional office lighting, red light therapy devices emit therapeutic wavelengths (660 nm) and near-infrared (850 nm). These particular wavelengths are capable of penetrating the skin and reaching deeper tissues, including muscle and brain tissues.
Unlike natural daylight, RLT is not for illuminating a space but for biologically activating the body at a cellular level. RLT was once considered a fringe wellness trend and has now gained traction through rigorous scientific grounds, and its application has expanded from the dermatology clinics to the elite athletic training center and now into the office environment. Utilizing red light therapy in an office setting is a smart way to counteract modern-day exposure to subpar lighting.
How Red Light Can Sharpen Your Focus
Red light therapy science is based on photobiomodulation, the mechanism by which light energy is absorbed by the mitochondria in our cells. This absorption helps to support mitochondria by "recharging your cellular batteries," hence boosting the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
In simple words, red light helps cells work efficiently. When applied to the brain or areas near the skull, RLT showed an increase in cellular function that has been linked to enhanced cognitive output, mental clarity, and focus. [2]
In similar studies, researchers applied near-infrared light to participants’ foreheads and reported a significant boost in attention and memory tasks. [3]
Red light therapy definitely provides a non-invasive, drug-free method to boost mental alertness — a promising prospect for high-stress professional atmospheres.
Unlocking the Full Benefits for Office Professionals
What attracts people to red light therapy is its versatility and whole-body healing approach. Workers who frequently use digital screens tend to experience frequent eye strain and mental fatigue. Such symptoms could be minimized by using brief red light therapy sessions, which stimulate cellular repair and lower inflammation. In addition, red light also boosts mood, which could help counteract the emotional cost of long workdays and unpleasant jobs.
Devices for office applications range from small desktop panels to wearable headbands and even ambient red light desk lamps. These can be done as short targeted sessions (5-15 minutes) when you’re taking a break or before you start working.
Though not a magic bullet, red light-based technology can be part of a broader wellness strategy that includes ergonomic furniture, scheduled breaks, and healthy screen habits.
The Future of Office Lighting Is Therapeutic
We are entering into a new era of workplace design that focuses on workers' well-being. With the increasing shift from open-plan offices to more personalized workstations, exposure to sunlight becomes essential.
Red light therapy represents a change from a concept of “one size fits all” illumination towards a biologically optimized and targeted light exposure. It is not a substitute for natural light but a scientifically based supplement that can fix the deficiency of light in our modern offices.
Applying RLT in the workplace may be a cutting-edge answer to today's poor-quality light exposure. With employees spending the majority of the daylight hours in artificial lighting that often strains the eyes and interrupts circadian rhythms, red light offers a refreshing alternative to boost energy!
References
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Sagha Zadeh R, Owora AH, Pham Y, Jiang NZ. Sociodemographic and Job Characteristics Influence Environmental Strategies Used to Manage Workplace Sleepiness. J Occup Environ Med. 2019;61(12):955-963. doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000001695
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Zohdi H, Märki J, Scholkmann F, Wolf U. Cerebral, systemic physiological and behavioral responses to colored light exposure during a cognitive task: A SPA-fNIRS study. Behav Brain Res. 2024;462:114884. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114884
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Pan WT, Liu PM, Ma D, Yang JJ. Advances in photobiomodulation for cognitive improvement by near-infrared derived multiple strategies. J Transl Med. 2023;21(1):135. Published 2023 Feb 22. doi:10.1186/s12967-023-03988-w
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