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The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light

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Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light

#81

Post by Aaargh20318 »

matwood wrote: post #53
Aaargh20318 wrote: post #5

We just moved into a new office and one of the best things about it is that we now have small offices and I can keep the curtains closed and the lights off all day. Why would you want more light, especially natural light ? I never open my curtains at home either.

And I can't get enough natural light. I hate artificial light, and require windows anywhere I work. When the temperature is right, I even sit on my back porch to work. For me, sitting in the dark is depressing.

> For me, sitting in the dark is depressing.

I feel much better in a dimly lit room. Not pitch black but a twilight kind of darkness.

However, I am autistic so that may have something to do with it. I only recently realised this. Ever since I've lived on my own I kept my curtains closed and my room dimly lit, but I never made the link to my autism or sensory issues. It seems kind of obvious in hindsight.

For some reason things that make 'normal' people happy have the opposite effect on me, and vice versa. For example, socialising makes me feel depressed while the more time I spend alone the happier I am. I don't think I've ever felt lonely either.

Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light

#83

Post by jessaustin »

coldtea wrote: post #69
Kiro wrote: post #34

I always have all the blinds closed in my apartment and I work from home. I get very little natural light. Any reason I should force myself to get more?

If you don't care for your health, no. In any case, the ill effects will only show up after decades of such a habit (and they wouldn't be directly and easily attributed to it), so no need to be concerned with it now.

OK I guess I'll stop brushing my teeth too...

Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light

#84

Post by jenscow »

mlthoughts2018 wrote: post #29

Every day I am the first to show up at my company, and I get maybe ~ 1 hour of nice, quiet work time with low lighting from the windows with overhead lights off. Then the second person who comes in every day shows up and flips all the overhead lights on every god damn day. When I’m working and the lights flip, I get a sense of rage and depression. I think it will be the reason why I quit this job.

> I get a sense of rage and depression

Maybe it's not the actual light, but it's a signal that the circus has arrived and your peaceful hour is over.

Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light

#85

Post by toomanybeersies »

I really wish it was possible to somehow use my laptop outside when it's sunny. It's a shame to spend the prime hours of the day inside, and then spend all your spare time in the dark at night.

I get really jealous of the construction workers when it's a nice sunny day outside. I've worked a few different outdoor jobs, and there's nothing quite like working on a sunny day, it really lifts the spirit.

Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light

#86

Post by dasmoth »

jenscow wrote: post #84
mlthoughts2018 wrote: post #29

Every day I am the first to show up at my company, and I get maybe ~ 1 hour of nice, quiet work time with low lighting from the windows with overhead lights off. Then the second person who comes in every day shows up and flips all the overhead lights on every god damn day. When I’m working and the lights flip, I get a sense of rage and depression. I think it will be the reason why I quit this job.

> I get a sense of rage and depression Maybe it's not the actual light, but it's a signal that the circus has arrived and your peaceful hour is over.

Pavlovian conditioning is very real. I for one wouldn't want the light => rage connection to get fixed...

Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light

#87

Post by Aaargh20318 »

mrweasel wrote: post #16
sarabande wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which countries?

It has been illegal to stuff people into room with no natural light in Denmark for at least 40 years. It can just be a skylight if you're in warehouse or factory. I believe that office workers are required to have actual windows and honestly I don't think even the employers think it's right to have windowless offices

> I don't think even the employers think it's right to have windowless offices

As an employee, I hate this rule and would love a windowless office. Right now, I just keep the curtains closed all day.

Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light

#88

Post by another-cuppa »

I think some comments are missing the point. I used to work in an office that definitely had "natural light" because it did have windows, but the view from the windows was basically just other grey buildings about 10 metres away. I now work in an office where I can look out and see grass, trees, and the sky, and it's much nicer.

Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light

#89

Post by Jach »

k__ wrote: post #74

lol, the anti-remote propaganda gets more ridiculous every day.

And the health nuts. Or just anti-night propaganda. I love working at night when it's super dark regardless of windows and the only light is from my screens.

Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light

#90

Post by inawarminister »

toomanybeersies wrote: post #85

I really wish it was possible to somehow use my laptop outside when it's sunny. It's a shame to spend the prime hours of the day inside, and then spend all your spare time in the dark at night. I get really jealous of the construction workers when it's a nice sunny day outside. I've worked a few different outdoor jobs, and there's nothing quite like working on a sunny day, it really lifts the spirit.

I've bought an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite recently, and spent a few hours under the mid day sun in the riverside reading some books. It's worth it just for that!

Shame there is no e-ink laptop sometimes soon, most likely...

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