Exposure to Light Tied to Activity Level

Here’s another reason to strive for that corner office with a view: People who work in offices with windows actually move more during the day and sleep better at night, according to new research presented at SLEEP 2013, the 27th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC.

Researchers looked at 49 day-shift workers, 27 of whom worked in windowless offices while the other 22 did have windows. They each wore a device that tracked their white light exposure (both from daylight and artificial light) and physical activity. The result: People who worked in a building with windows received 173 percent more white light exposure during work hours. Plus, they slept an average of 46 minutes more per night and moved more than four times more than those who worked in a space without windows.

Can’t move to a desk with a view? No need to quit your day job: While you can get some white light exposure from artificial lighting used indoors, direct sunlight is always going to be your best bet, says study author Ivy Cheung, doctoral candidate at Northwestern University. So take your lunch outside instead of in front of your computer, or go for a quick walk around the block when you have a few free minutes. And then check out these tips for how to incorporate more movement into your workday—regardless of where the closest window is.

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

More from Women’s Health:
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Workspace Rules: Dos and Don’ts
Stand Up For Your Health

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