Daylight improves brain function and increases mindfulness

Bright lighting can speed up a person’s reaction by 7-10 percent compared to being in semi-darkness. In addition to speed, the ability to hold the focus of attention improves and the subjective feeling of drowsiness decreases. Those who are used to going to bed early get even more benefits: their body is better invigorated by the morning sun and relaxes faster when the evening darkens.

The stability of daylight hours also proved to be a critical factor. Constant fluctuations between light and dark negatively affect productivity. The best performance was demonstrated by those participants whose schedule ensured an even and continuous stay in the light during the daytime. Our brain likes predictability and clear signals from the external environment.

The retina of the eye contains a special layer of photosensitive tissue, which triggers this process. The ipRGC system reacts to the blue-green spectrum and transmits signals to the brain, but not to form an image, but to adjust the internal clock. The photopigment melanopsin regulates circadian rhythms and mood, effectively telling the body when to be active and when to rest.

Office managers and business leaders should reconsider their approach to workplace organization. Low light conditions can be a hidden reason for a drop in employee efficiency, especially during night shifts or long work days. Sufficient light is a matter of safety and productivity, as workers’ attention directly depends on lumens.

The participants in the experiment wore special sensors on their wrists that recorded the light level around them for a week. In parallel, they used the Brightertime smartphone app, where they passed cognitive tests. Real-world living conditions were compared with the effectiveness of thinking, without locking people in artificial laboratory walls.

Dr. Altug Didikoglu, who led the project, emphasizes the fundamental role of the external environment. Previously, science knew that electric light at night knocks down the biological clock and spoils sleep. Now it has become obvious that a bright day is critically necessary to maintain a high level of intelligence and vivacity. Light turned out to be an even more significant factor for productivity than the time of day or the number of hours spent without sleep.