Fachhändlersuche
Been awake for an hour and still feeling drowsy? Can't concentrate on your work? Having trouble sleeping? These problems can all be caused by the amount of daylight in our rooms. But with the right sun shading system, we can turn daylight to our advantage. Ulrich Lang, an expert at Warema, the leading manufacturer of sun shading products, explains how to capitalise on sunlight at all times of day.
Natural daylight in the blue part of the spectrum is helpful for people who struggle to wake up in the morning. This inhibits the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, which makes us tired and relaxed. Provided the sun has already risen, we should try to expose ourselves to natural light by the time we have our first morning coffee. "If all we see in the morning is warm artificial light, we will find it hard to get going," Ulrich Lang explains. "Natural light regulates our biological clock, helping the body to differentiate between day and night." External venetian blinds are the ideal, flexible solution. The slats can be repositioned to control the amount of daylight entering the room.
Home offices: boosting energy with natural light
Whether you work in an office or from home, daylight is essential for maintaining concentration and avoiding fatigue. Its colour, brightness and direction change continuously, creating a stimulating effect and making us feel good. "And unlike dimmable LED lights, it doesn’t flicker. We might not notice the flickering, but studies have shown that it affects our entire being," says Ulrich Lang. At the same time, glare should be avoided because it can impair vision and cause discomfort. The ideal solution is to flexibly combine internal and external sun shading systems. Automated external venetian blinds are a smart option, as they do not have to be adjusted manually; they boost well-being by automatically optimising light and shading. This also saves energy that would otherwise be required for artificial lighting or regulating room temperature.
Relaxing in a homely atmosphere
After work comes relaxation – finally time to gaze outside and enjoy the last of the daylight. Natural light has the highest colour rendering, making objects and people appear completely natural. This is just one reason why we should savour every last ray of light. Our bodies release more serotonin when we are exposed to high doses of sunlight, which in turn lifts our mood and has a motivating effect.
External venetian blinds with adjustable slats maximise natural light in a room without causing glare – even when the sun is low. And when it’s time for dinner or to unwind on the sofa by a roaring fire, external venetian blinds provide reliable privacy from the outside world, allowing you to relax undisturbed.
Perfect black-out for a restful sleep
The day ends in the bedroom, as our bodies wind down and we lose the urge to stay active. We can slip into our cosy beds and forget everything around us. To get a perfect night's rest, we need to be smart and protect ourselves from the high proportion of blue light in artificial lighting and from bright streetlights. The room should be completely dark to allow the body to release calming melatonin. Roller shutters are ideally suited to this purpose. They also make us feel safe and snug. These shutters can be raised during the day to let in air and light and lowered at night for privacy.
"We shouldn't forget that daylight has a major impact on all of us," says Ulrich Lang. "We can then use it to our advantage, helping us stay fit and alert. And don’t wait until you go outside – we need to harness this effect in our homes as well."
