Can A Bespoke Roof Lantern Help with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Did you know that a bespoke roof lantern can considerably reduce the effects of mental health conditions, like Seasonal Affective Disorder?

As Brits, when the summer comes to an end, a part of us feels like it dies with it (as bleak as that sounds). This summer was short-lived, and as unfortunate as that is, we can’t deny the dark, murky winter that awaits us, (on the bright side at least we’re not in lockdown this time).

But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom as Aliwood’s bespoke roof lanterns can engulf your home in beautiful, natural light, creating an uplifting atmosphere for you and your family. Let’s take a closer look at how our roof lanterns can help with Seasonal Affective Disorder.

The Science 

Seasonal Affective Disorder also known as SAD (ironic abbreviation we know), is when a lack of sunlight stops a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, from functioning effectively. This can be detrimental to your mental health, because the hypothalamus controls your production of melatonin; the hormone that increases levels of tiredness. 

Your serotonin levels, more commonly known as your ‘happy hormone,’ also dramatically fall, which lowers your mood and appetite levels, generating feelings of depression and sadness. Here in Britain, many of us have experienced these emotions in the winter months.

Not only this, but did you know that our bodies often subconsciously use sunlight to determine what time of the day it is? Without light, our body clocks resort to a state of confusion (can you blame us?). Meaning important functions in our body cannot take place because we lack routine and the correct associations from day to night. Symptoms of SAD can include tiredness, weight gain, low mood, and a loss of enthusiasm in day-to-day activities.

Experts even say this loss of enthusiasm in daily activities is due to a lack of sunlight and should be treated with ‘lifestyle measures.’ Which is where a bespoke roof lantern steps in!

Light

Gaining access to as much natural light as possible will slowly eradicate the effects of SAD. A roof lantern will flood natural light into your house and specifically, into the room your roof lantern is located in. Whether you’re still working from home in the week, or relaxing at the weekend, an Aliwood bespoke roof lantern will fill your living space with brightness. Even if the sun chooses not to make an appearance, the sky’s natural light can illuminate any home.

As much as we hate the cold weather, the only thing worse, is rain. But with our roof lanterns we can bring an element of comfort and cosiness. Turning your house, into a home. Watch the rain pour from outside, while the gentle pitter patters trail off your roof lantern window.

It’s simple pleasures like this, that can make life beautiful, and help improve the effects of SAD, or prevent it from occurring at all. Additionally, light also brings the illusion of space into your home. Let’s delve deeper into how this works.

Space 

With light, comes space. Being honest, who doesn’t want a spacious home? As we know, distributing light into your living areas can create a bright environment. Giving the visual illusion of space, because light eradicates shadows and other dark spots in your home.

Effectively, our glass extensions will generate light, and in turn, create the impression of space. Without a roof lantern, dark rooms can often feel claustrophobic, which can directly affect your mental health. With Aliwood, our bespoke roof lanterns can improve the effects of SAD through light and space, while visually creating a unique, extravagant centrepiece. What more could you ask for?

How Roof Lanterns Can Help With Daily Tasks

Although many of us have gone back into the office now Covid restrictions have eased, for most of us, working from home has become the new normal. Living and working in the same space can come with its downfalls. As humans, confinement is unnatural, we were built to move freely. Thus, combining your home and workspace can prove difficult.

It blurs the lines of what is work and what isn’t. The familiarities our brain makes to certain spaces, can cause issues such as lack of enthusiasm and fatigue. Becoming lethargic and sleeping longer than normal are common symptoms of SAD, and its draining. No one wants to be stuck in a vicious circle. 

To make the situation even more difficult, working in the dark can decrease motivation levels even further because we associate darkness with sleep. Of course, we can’t stop day becoming night, but Aliwood can expand your access to natural light for as long as possible during the day. Consequently, our roof lanterns can increase your enthusiasm while working from home and helping to boost your serotonin levels, because to put it simply, light equals happiness! 

Contact Us

Do you want to improve or protect your mental health this upcoming winter? Then contact Aliwood by clicking here! Or simply call us on 01245 967107. We would love to hear from you!