When I was signing a lease for a new apartment, I focused on the amenities, the floorplans and the location. I did not think that the lack of a window in my room would be a major issue. However, this has proven to be a little bit more difficult than I originally anticipated. I really enjoy my apartment, but the combination of a smaller room and no window can make the room feel a little suffocating at times. My room is typically so dark that I have to keep the lights on all day.
Without a constant connection to the outside world, it can be very easy to get lost in your worried mind and let time slip away. Thankfully, I have found plenty of ways to make up for the absence of an outside light source. This experience has led me to realize that having a form of light in your living area and workspace is an essential and often overlooked necessity.
One of the main benefits of light therapy is for your mental health. Researchers find that having access to a light source can affect the chemicals in your brain linked to your mood and sleep schedule. This is especially helpful for people who suffer from conditions such as seasonal affective disorder, as these people’s moods are impacted by the changing seasons. Although it is recommended that people go outside to be exposed to natural light, this is not always possible depending on the weather or schedule of the individual.
Therefore, scientists created the light therapy box, which people can use to mimic the impacts of natural light. This alternative to natural lighting is also extremely accessible, as it can be done in your own home. A person can sit by the therapy light while they keep their eyes open to properly absorb the rays. This can be useful for other forms of depression as well.
The light therapy method can also be effective for people suffering from sleep disorders, such as insomnia. Many people’s bodies rely on lighting cues from the outside to feel tired and go to sleep, which is why many people are awoken by the bright morning light or need a dark room to fall asleep. For people with sleep disorders, the light therapy box is used to replicate the natural patterns of the sun as it lowers and rises throughout the day.
According to the Sleep Foundation, the perception of increased light will delay melatonin production, which will keep a person awake for a longer time. If you do not have access to a natural light source or if it is sometime during the winter months, then light therapy could help to better regulate the amount of light your body gets. This method can also be used to help people deal with jet lag, as it will adjust your body to your current location’s light patterns.
I have been able to avoid any extreme impacts from having less access to natural lighting thanks to little things I have incorporated into my room decoration. However, it is important to make sure to include brighter colors to make up for the darker room, or else the area can feel more like a cave than a room.
I also have a rather large mirror on my wall, which helps to open up the space and gives an illusion of having a larger room. Typically, I keep my bedroom door open as well, which makes the room feel much less closed in. On a positive note, not having a window allows for me to have more room to decorate my walls. I have found that I am not bothered by the windowless room anymore, as my room is still able to feel welcoming and warm thanks to how I have decorated it.