How Bright Light Therapy Can Help You Be More Productive at Work
You know it well: The mid-week slump. Or is it a case of the Mondays? Perhaps “It’s really only Thursday? I thought it was Friday!”
Face it; even your morning cup of coffee (or five) just aren’t cutting it anymore. You find it more and more difficult to drag yourself out of bed in the morning to get into the office. You fantasize about curling up under your desk and taking a nap, and you zone out during that team meeting.
Every winter, like clockwork, you have trouble staying focused and productive at work.
You’re not alone. Many people find that the cold, dark winter months cause a dip in their energy and effectiveness. Tasks take longer to complete, less work gets done, and you feel as if your brain is just foggy.
What Causes the Winter Dip in Productivity?
Your brain craves sunlight. When you get a proper amount of sunlight, even just from exposure through the windows during the day, your brain produces serotonin and endorphins, which are essential for proper brain function. These neurotransmitters regulate all sorts of things, including your proper sleep and wake cycles, your ability to focus, and your overall mood.
During the winter months, the sun sets earlier in the day, often even before you leave your desk at the end of the work day. Without this essential sunlight, your brain’s production of those neurotransmitters is thrown off, causing you to feel more sleepy and sluggish during the day and causing that irritable feeling you get cooped up indoors all day.
What Can I Do to Combat the Winter Slump?
Keeping yourself as healthy as possible all winter (It’s difficult with all the heavy holiday foods!) is one way to keep your brain in top condition. Eating plenty of whole foods, drinking lots of water, getting your recommended amount of sleep each night, and exercising at least three times per week are great ways to keep your body and brain healthy all winter long.
Adding some bright light therapy into your routine can also help combat the brain fog you feel during the colder months. Sitting in front of a bright light box – 10,000 Lux or brighter – for at least 30 minutes each morning after you wake up can help your brain produce more of those neurotransmitters and reset your sleep/wake cycle.
Not only will the bright light therapy help you feel more wakeful during the day, it can improve your sleep at night and, in turn, help you feel more focused and productive each day.
Taking the time to sit down in front of a bright light therapy box while you eat breakfast or enjoy your morning cup of coffee can set you up for a better, more productive, happier day at work. Who doesn’t want that?
Your Online Resource for High-Quality Bright Light Therapy Boxes
For more than 30 years, the SunBox Company has been one of the most trusted names in bright light therapy boxes. Whether you’re looking to improve your performance at work, sleep better, or combat the symptoms of depression, our team can help you find the product that’s right for you. Check out our online store today!