Three Things to Know About Lighting for your Home Office
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of employees working from home has increased and is here to stay. If you are one of the millions working from home, there are some things you should know about lighting. Ideally when working from home you will have dedicated office space. But many will end up working at the kitchen table, a random corner or even outdoors. Lighting is an area of ergonomics many people seem to forget about. Why is lighting of concern? Improper lighting situations can lead to eye strain, poor postures and reduced productivity.
First let us talk about types of light source. There are many different types of bulbs available including fluorescent, LED, or more those with a more natural light. Fluorescent lights emit UV which has been shown to increase eye diseases. Also, some people working in fluorescent lighting have reported headaches, eye strain and general eye discomfort. A better choice would be incandescent warm light bulbs, full spectrum lighting or natural lighting. Take note that blue light from LEDS, phones and tablets may also cause eye damage too so avoiding prolonged use is recommended.
Natural light from windows is great for improving your mood and does less harm to your eyes. Some people like natural lighting to the extent that they mistakenly set up their computer workstations facing the window. The backlighting caused by the window behind the computer screen is a prime source for eyes strain. You should have the computer set-up with the window off to the side at 90 degrees to avoid the backlighting effect.
Glare on your monitor screen is another cause of eye strain. Glare can come from window light, overhead lights, lamps positioned improperly or the sun if working outdoors. To see where glare is coming from, shut off your monitor and look for the reflections of light on the dark screen. Adjust lighting positions, computer screen location and if unable to change overhead lighting or working outdoors, try a glare shade for your screen. There are a variety of sunshades available on the market. Also, painting your office with matte paint helps limit reflections and glare.
Pay attention to your lighting at home, at work or when working outdoors. By reducing eye strain, you can also help improve posture by avoiding having to lean into the monitor due to see. Avoiding eye strain can also help you work more productively and feel healthier. Remember that a heathy light source will also help your moods to be more positive. If you have questions, contact me at optimumergo.com
