Humans have evolved to follow natural circadian rhythms. These biological clocks are regulated by periods of light and darkness and have significant impact on how we behave and our ability to concentrate. Office lighting can either harmonise with these rhythms or disrupt them. The wrong type of lighting can lead to confusion in our internal clocks, resulting in issues such as disrupted sleep patterns, decreased alertness, and mood disorders, while well planned lighting can improve concentration, alertness and encourage higher levels of productivity.

Aligning office lighting with natural circadian rhythms can help employees stay more alert during the day and sleep better at night. 

Productivity and concentration

Human centric lighting in the workplace can significantly enhance employee focus and concentration. Insufficient or high intensity lighting can lead to eye strain, fatigue, and reduced productivity. Conversely, well-designed lighting can help reduce errors and increase task accuracy, improving work efficiency.

Ensuring that workspaces are uniformly illuminated and avoiding dark corners or excessively bright areas is important. The use of task lighting to helps staff to concentrate on specific tasks. Utilising sensor nodes such as Organic Response will reduce unnecessary lighting while ensuring a level of uniformity across the space. This will help in reducing distractions in the surrounding area and provide focused illumination for specific tasks, such as reading or writing which can help to reduce eye strain.

Health and wellbeing

Office lighting also has a direct impact on the physical health of employees. Working in spaces lit with inappropriate or poor-quality luminaires causes headaches, eye strain, and discomfort from glare and flicker.

Over time, these issues can contribute to stress and other health problems leading to time lost. Well-illuminated working environments reduce stress levels and improve the overall well-being of employees.

Offices that invest in lighting with anti-glare features and ensure that lighting is uniform across the workspace create an environment that is productive. By incorporating adjustable lighting to accommodate individual preferences and the specific needs of different tasks, you also improve employee focus and comfort.

Optimising office lighting for staff comfort

Maximising the use of natural light in the office is essential. Studies have shown that exposure to natural light improves mood, energy levels, and overall wellbeing. Lighting control systems that adapt lighting levels to take advantage of sunlight will also help to reduce energy use.

Modern LED systems with automatic lighting controls such as Organic Response can adjust the intensity and tone of the lighting to support natural circadian rhythms. By changing the colour temperature over the course of the day to mirror sunlight, staff focus is improved. Cooler tones (around 4000K) are ideal for daytime, while warmer tones (around 3000K) can create a relaxing atmosphere during breaks and at the end of the day.

Reducing glare from overhead lighting reduces the incidence of eye strain when using a reflective screen. Lighting in offices should be designed and positioned to ensure glare is minimised and user comfort is maximised when working using screens.

Thoughtful lighting improves workplace comfort and productivity

In conclusion, thoughtful office lighting choices can significantly impact productivity, employee well-being, and energy efficiency. By considering circadian rhythms, glare reduction, and energy-saving options, businesses can create a more conducive work environment that benefits both employees and the bottom line.