NATIONAL DAYLIGHT APPRECIATION DAY

National Daylight Appreciation Day each year on June 21 recognizes the summer solstice (the longest day of daylight in the northern hemisphere) and encourages people to celebrate the many benefits of the sun.

#DaylightAppreciationDay

The day also offers an opportunity to learn more about the importance of daylighting. Daylighting is using skylights, windows, and other architectural openings to naturally light interior spaces. Doing so helps not only to reduce energy consumption but may also have health benefits.

Some areas of daylighting are designed with automatic dimming systems when natural light is present. These designs reduce the amount of artificial light required. The process is known as daylight harvesting.

Daylight has positive psychological effects, too. It can boost your mental health and helps lower depression, as well as helping to increase energy levels. The Vitamin D we naturally get from the sun also has many health benefits for us.

HOW TO OBSERVE DAYLIGHT APPRECIATION DAY

Enjoy the summer solstice, enjoy the sunshine. And most importantly, let the sunshine into your home! With the longest day of the year before us, open the windows and bask in the light. Let it flood your home with light and brighten your day. Try these other ways to celebrate, too!

Take photos of the same place throughout the day, showing how the daylight changes.
Plant a small herb garden in the sunniest window in your home and reap the rewards in your cooking.
Capture a cat nap in a sunbeam.

And enjoy #DaylightAppreciationDay all day!