Absenteeism soars during winter months, placing a huge financial burden and logistical strain on productivity at work. According to The Office for National Statistics’ 2014 report on work absenteeism*, while the most common reason given for sickness absence in 2013, accounting for 30%, was minor illnesses such as cough and colds, mental health problems such as stress, depression and anxiety contributed to a significant number of days of work lost in 2013 at 15.2 million days or about 12% of the total. Poor mental health inevitably also has a negative impact on performance, motivation and relationships. Not surprisingly both levels of absenteeism and symptoms of SAD (depression, lack of energy, lethargy, weight gain) are at their worst during January and February when the days are at their shortest and the effects of light deprivation have accumulated.
Light therapy is a powerful antidote; research** shows that we really need bright light of about 2,000 lux to keep our body clock on track which in turn keeps winter blues symptoms at bay, but even the brightest offices only measure around 500 lux. And while spending at least 45 minutes a day outside would be the best solution, in reality the British weather and work commitments mean this is not usually possible. Exposure to a light box or brightlight (2,000-10,000lux) for 15 - 90 minutes a day provides a realistic alternative, quickly decreasing sleepiness, restoring vitality and boosting mental alertness, energy levels and productivity. It is also a potent and effective treatment for SAD and winter blues. Using bright light from September onwards can delay the onset of SAD/winter blue symptoms and will also mitigate their effect.
Jonathan Cridland, CEO, Lumie - “While employers are all too familiar with the problems of absenteeism and reduced productivity in the winter months, we still have a way to go in establishing light therapy as a simple, inexpensive yet highly effective solution. Lumie is delighted to be launching this ‘Light for workplace well-being’ campaign to encourage the adoption of bright lights at work this coming winter.”
Adding several Lumie bright lights to an existing seating area or even the staff restaurant provides a bright environment where employees can take 15 minutes to recharge their batteries. Last winter Lumie provided lights for a light café run by LeedsUniversity. It created an uplifting space where students could study or relax in front of a Lumie light.
Quotes:
Dr Vikki Revell, Circadian clock expert, University of Surrey - “Light can acutely boost your mood; we know sitting in a dark environment makes it harder to get going whereas if you’re in a brightly lit environment there’s enough light to enter the eye and stimulate the brain resulting in an increase in mood and alertness. Plus light is a natural tool and very easy to use. You might even be able to pre-empt the onset of SAD/winter blue symptoms by using light therapy from the end of the summer onwards.”
Pdf of ‘Light for workplace well-being’ can be downloaded from www.lumie.com/switched-on
Images of Lumie Brightspark and Lumie Desklamp are available on request.
*Office for National Statistics’ Full Report: Sickness Absence in the Labour Market (Feb 2014) (go to www.lumie.com/switched-on) to access the full report)
** The efficacy of light therapy in the treatment of mood disorders: a review and meta-analysis of the evidence. Psychiatr Pol. 2004 Nov-Dec;38(6):1105-14. (click here to access the paper: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15800134 )
About Lumie:
Since 1991 Lumie has been researching and designing bright lights to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other conditions. Our first Bodyclock dawn simulator – an alarm that wakes you up with increasing levels of light – was the world’s first wake-up light and brought light therapy into the mainstream. We also designed and developed Lumie Clear, a unique hand held device that uses combined blue and red light therapy to treat acne.
Contact:
Ruth Jackson
PR Manager, Lumie
Tel: 01954 780500
Mob: 07914 812261
www.lumie.com
Facebook: Lumie.light.therapy
Twitter: @lumie_lights
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