Inadequate lighting can make employees SAD’
The idea that inadequate exposure to natural sunlight can make employees sick is more than just theory. In fact, the scientific term for what happens to such employees is seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
"SAD refers to a set of psychological and physiological symptoms that occur when people are indoors a great deal and not exposed to very much sunlight," explains Don R, Powell, PhD, president of the American Institute for Preventive Medicine in Farmington Hills, MI. "It can lead to depression, overeating, decreased immune functions [such employees are more susceptible to colds and flu], and really starts to show the affect that weather can have on mood states."
Employees who suffer from SAD can be a real concern for wellness professionals, says Powell. "They tend to dislike work more than usual, have headaches; they may oversleep and be more mistake-prone," he says. "It makes sticking to any type of exercise program or regimen more difficult." What causes SAD? "It is thought to be caused by a lack of exposure to natural, unfiltered sunlight," says Powell. Research has shown that light may affect a hormone in the brain called melatonin, which controls mood, fertility, and sleep."
This theory has led to a treatment that involves placing SAD sufferers under a bright full-spectrum fluorescent light designed to simulate the sun’s rays. "It has been shown that exposure [to these special lights] each day basically can elevate your mood," Powell notes. "It’s almost like spring has arrived early."
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