"Let there be light." (Genesis 1:3-25) Light has
signified a new start, hope, energy, and positivity for centuries. It's our signal that the night is behind us and is a welcome invitation to seize the day ahead.
Exposure to natural light
has many known benefits like boosting vitamin D, enhancing our focus, increasing our happiness levels...and, within the topic of getting organized, light helps us to be more productive, meaning it enables us to get more done.
Light inside our homes, artificial light, is important for productivity as well. First, it gives us extra "daylight," meaning that it takes the place of natural light when there's not enough. It would be very hard to be productively cooking a meal in the dark, for instance.
Light is a safety mechanism. It brightens the way so you don't trip over something. It saves our eyes from eye-strain when we're reading. After all, it's very challenging to be productive if we're hurt or we can't see very well.
Light is also a wonderful decorative tool. I love the way a flickering candle adds a soft glow at night or the way solar lights light up an evening walkway. I know my productivity increases greatly when I'm emotionally happy, and light is an integral part of getting us to that
emotion.
So, when you're considering how to be more productive in your life, begin to make the most basic improvement. Add more light into your life.
1. Use light-filtering shades in your bedroom. You'll be able to wake up more naturally when the morning light gradually begins streaming in.
If you must use black-out shades to sleep, lift the shades when your alarm clock sounds and allow the light to fill your room and give you that "get up and go" feeling.
Speaking of alarm clocks, I love sunrise alarm clocks which gradually increase the light in your room until it feels like daytime. So, if you don't have light-filtering shades right now, this is a good option!
3. Keep your windows clean. Clean windows invite natural light in and also allow you to enjoy a view into the outside world. By the way, don't sabotage your nice views with clutter. Remove clutter from around your windows...and outside in your yard as well.
4. Go outdoors...often Try to get outside at least once a day, preferably several times a day. Being outside in the light and fresh air invites a more positive outlook on the day ahead...and can even make challenging days more bearable.
5. When shopping for lighting, shop for "purpose" first. There are countless choice when it comes to shopping for overhead lighting and lamps. Before making your decision, however, be sure the light (and the bulbs it calls for) well-matches your purpose.
For instance, a light acquired for the purpose of reading or studying is much different than the type you'd need for ambiance. I always like a bright light in my kitchen...and in my laundry room as
well.
Some lights come with dimmers that allow you bright light or dim light, depending on various purposes. Yes, the decorative properties of light are important, but should never be at
the detriment of the function required.