A daily dose of natural light helps improve a person's sleep and overall quality of life. It's also good for employees.

"There is increasing evidence that exposure to light, during the day -- particularly in the morning -- is beneficial to your health via its effects on mood, alertness and metabolism," said Dr. Phyllis Zee, a professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

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She goes on to point out that employees are a group at risk because they are usually indoors and without any access to natural light.

A study by Dr. Zee and her colleagues tested 49 day-shift workers. Of this number, 22 were placed in workplaces with windows while 27 were placed in workplaces without windows.

Results showed the workers with more exposure to natural light slept longer, exercised more, and had an improved quality in life.

While the results were positive for natural light, it still does not prove a cause and effect in the associations seen in the study.

Co-lead author Ivy Cheung said light is an important synchronizing effect for the brain and the body.

"Proper synchronization of your internal biological rhythms with the Earth's daily rotation has been shown to be essential for health," she said.

Additionally, there have been separate studies on the different benefits natural light has to offer.

For instance, natural light is not only beneficial to employees. Students can feel more focused and could do better in school if their rooms have windows that let in the light.

Natural sunlight also accelerates the recovery of patients in hospitals while factory workers enjoy increased productivity.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology also states that a minimum of three hours spent outdoors can decrease the risk of myopia or nearsightedness, and can equalize the circadian rhythms of people, thereby reducing insomnia and sleeping disorders.

This study also highlights the importance of natural light in the design of building.

"Architects need to be aware of the importance of natural light not only in terms of their potential energy savings but also in terms of affecting occupants' health," said study co-lead author Mohamed Boubekri.

TagsNatural light, Sun, employees