Amidst the current COVID-19 global outbreak, the world has almost come to a standstill. National and international authorities are taking stern precautionary measures for safeguarding people against the life-threatening virus that has already claimed thousands of lives globally within months. For instance, many countries including India, South Africa, and United Kingdom have announced nationwide lockdowns in order to limit the spread of the virus. This has leveraged the commercial sector to imply the “work from home” policy which encourages the employees to work while staying safe in their homes.
Work from home is one of the most popular policies in the commercial sector that allows employees to complete their work from the comfort of their home. However, the outbreak has locked people inside their homes for an indefinite period of time. In such a scenario, people are suggested to maintain the character and quality of the lighting systems in their house workspaces in order to ensure appropriate productivity and motivation levels.
The top commercial lighting manufacturers assert that lighting of the place can potentially influence the behavior and psychology of the people. While dull illumination can make one feel lethargic and gloomy, natural light can make them feel more attentive and energetic. This has encouraged the leading LED lighting manufacturers to develop smart lighting solutions like Human Centric Lighting (HCL) that can emulate natural light-like conditions in indoor spaces.
The role of smart lighting solutions like HCL has become even more important in these desperate times. It supports the human biological clock and intends to promote a person’s well-being, mood and heath while improving their concentration levels. This can eventually increase the overall productivity levels of the employees, which is extremely essential especially when working from home for weeks at a stretch.
As proper lighting is the key to staying productive, here are some suggestions and lighting tips that one should consider when working from home:
1. Keep it indirect
People should always avoid working under the direct glare of overhead lights. Instead, they should try to diffuse the ambient illumination in order to soften and scatter the harsh light. The aim should be to illuminate the entire space while limiting undue glare and contrast.
2. Appropriate for the task
A large number of employees work on computers and laptops in today’s digitally-driven world. Thus, it is extremely important to ensure proper lighting as any adversity can lead to eye strain or headaches. In such a scenario, one can make use of the task lighting technique in order to make sure that the lighting is appropriate for the task.
3. Choose the right location
People should always pay significant attention to the location of their workspace and the direction of the light. Lighting experts assert that a light source set behind a person often creates irritating glares on the monitor screen. Thus, it is advised to make the best use of natural light (sunlight) in daytime as it ensures warm lighting that not only enhances the environment but also improves the energy and concentration levels. Moreover, one should rely on LED luminaires when working in night or late-evenings as they are known to provide better and brighter illumination.
Conclusion
The world is fighting a massive battle against the disease that is still incurable. Thus, people are strongly suggested to stay at home and work in their full efficiency in order to limit the economic damage in these needy times. Stay at home, work from home, and stay safe!
