It is rightly said that “knowledge is power” and is more relevant in present era of quality & competitiveness. Every one of us wants to acquire knowledge and wish that our near and dear ones also acquire it. To acquire knowledge whether theoretical or practical, one has to study because studying about the subject will only make a person knowledgeable in that subject and thus marketable. The Asian psyche in general and Indian in particular is to have unwanted competition with our neighbors. So even after the news of scrapping of CBSE board examinations up to 10th class from next academic session onwards and subsequent following by the state education boards, studying hours (called studying pressure) put by students may not decrease a bit. Therefore, at one hand we all want our children to be knowledgeable i.e., to study hard but at other hand they should also be fit and fine from their health point of view.
To make these both (study and health) for children to go side by side, various methodologies are already in practice but one more important methodology is to study in presence of natural light. Studying in natural light has been the victim of many developments in and around our children due to whom their study performance as well as health are being affected. Study is a log-time taking activity in every child’s life and children spent hours in studying with artificial lights. In present living style of compulsion to be away from natural environment because of shortage of time, living in compact flats and congested cities or due to the growing nature of complexion, isolation and competition in coming generation, children are forced or preferring to adopt reading in artificial lights.
Natural light is one of the most important resources, but it is generally not properly used in our daily mechanized life system take it for anything, especially reading. Natural- white light- is a combination of seven colours (VIBGOR) in a wavelength range of 390-780 nm. The sunlight’s natural rays are vital tools for giving lively look and just as importantly, it is very cheap. A well-lighted room with natural light will pump up your mood and is much beneficial to work, studying or simply to have a peaceful reading time. In some cities and towns, natural light alone is not enough to lighten up a house, but with some initiative and creativity, it can complement and develop the look of every room. It is not only important to save electricity by reading in natural light but we have to see other important benefits of reading in natural light.
Children all the day are either glued to TVs or computers and when ever take to reading; they prefer it most with close artificial lights. Artificial lights like incandescent lamps and bulbs are more dangerous than tube lights and CFLs but still the benefits of natural light cannot be compared with CFLs or tube light also. Such habits are making them more pron to health effects and affecting their studying performances. Need is to motivate them by making them to understand the benefits of reading in natural light wherever and whenever it is possible. It is advised not only to encourage but also to help children to study in natural light with some minor possible modifications in the study rooms in order to allow more natural to come in. The benefits of reading in natural light in respects of health and study performance are summarized as:
· Studies show that students learn better in natural light.
· Natural light lifts your spirits and adds beauty to your rooms.
· Full spectrum lighting in the form of sunlight provides a lot of nutrition for human beings. Many are aware of the way that natural light helps to produce Vitamin C. However, not everyone is aware of how the sun can make a big difference in Vitamin D levels in the body. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that helps with alleviating depression, aids in the absorption of other vitamins and minerals, and is believed to help minimize the chances of developing several types of cancer. Since Vitamin D is produced the moment that sunlight touches your skin, short periods of exposure to natural light will allow you to easily obtain enough Vitamin D each day to help your body fight off a number of ailments.
· Light therapy can also be helpful with various types of anxiety disorders. For example, the nervousness and melancholy connected with Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD can be attributed to a lack of exposure to natural light. People who tend to stay indoors and out of the sun at all costs are much more likely to develop this condition, possibly progressing on to a fully blown panic disorder or depression. Fifteen or twenty minutes spent in natural light each day can make a huge difference.
· Even many businesses are finding that by creating work environments where employees have the chance to enjoy natural light will increase the bottom line. Workers who are able to work near windows or in spaces equipped with a skylight tend to be less prone to negative emotions, are able to focus on tasks with greater ease, and in general are more productive and happy with their work.
· There are some anecdotal reports of people recovering faster from colds and even surgical procedures if they are exposed to a certain amount of sunlight each day.
· While it is important to avoid excess exposure to the sun’s rays, it is equally important to enjoy a limited amount of natural light each day. Doing so allows you to reap the benefits while avoiding many of the potential damage to the skin caused by harmful UV rays.