Being self employed and working from home means I need to be super disciplined, motivated and able to hold myself accountable. However, this isn’t always the case. I can find myself easily distracted, especially when it’s dark and gloomy outside and I feel like I would rather be tucked up in bed or on the sofa watching a film. So when I was introduced to the Upp light by Upp Wellbeing I was very intrigued. Could a light really improve my motivation, productivity and overall mood?
What is the Upp Light?
The Upp Light by Upp Wellbeing is a full-spectrum lighting solution designed to simulate natural daylight. It offers a range of benefits for both physical and mental well-being. If you use the light in the morning it will help you wake fully and it will also sets off your circadian rhythm, which is your body’s natural 24-hour cycle that regulates many processes, including your sleep-wake cycle and hormone production.
This process will give you additional benefits, including increased alertness and focus, increased productivity and more restful sleep.
The Upp light Measures 60 x 60 cm with an ultra-thin profile of just 9 mm, it features a brushed aluminium frame and curved corners, making it a sleek addition to any room. The light is mains-powered and can be easily mounted flush to any wall using a single screw, which is provided.
With an intensity of 10,000 lux and 4,600 lumens, the Upp Light delivers invigoratingly bright yet soft illumination. Its full-spectrum output ensures an even colour balance akin to natural daylight, enhancing visibility and reducing eye strain. The large surface area contributes to a softer light, making it ideal for various activities such as reading, working, or exercising. Additionally, the light is flicker-free, which is beneficial for both eye comfort and on-camera appearances.
The UPP Light is also energy-efficient, consuming 45W of power, which translates to a running cost of approximately 1p per hour. This efficiency makes it a cost-effective option for those seeking the benefits of daylight simulation without incurring high energy costs.
Review
When the Upp light arrived I was impressed with the packaging. It was in a box, within a box with additional corner packaging to ensure it wouldn’t move around and potentially break.
On opening it all up I was relived to see that it came with the single screw needed to hang it up, meaning we could get to work and hang it up straight away without having to buy any additional hooks or brackets.
I chose to have the Upp light in my office as this is where I spend most of my time and as a busy mum of three running her own business I often have to work early mornings and late evenings when everyone else is a sleep, so naturally it’s often dark.
I positioned the Upp light above my desk and was amazed at how bright it was. To put it into perspective my husband did ask if I was trying to land planes in the office!
However, desite my initial surprise at the brightness my eyes quickly adjusted to it.
I have now been using the Upp light for a number of weeks and I honestly love it. I can’t believe how natural the light feels and the fact it illuminates the whole room is amazing. Sometimes when I turn it off to leave my office I am actually surprised by how dark and gloomy it really is outside as it has felt like i’ve been working in the middle of he day not through the evening.
The big question though is has it worked?
I think it has yes! I don’t find myself procrastinating as much or thinking about how rubbish the weather is and feeling like I need endless cups of coffee to get me going. Instead I tend to start work straight away and stay on task a bit better. It has been especially useful when I’ve been working in the evenings as I haven’t even realised how dark it is outside and have been able to convince myself that these are just normal working hours.
I am still not entirely sure how a light can improve my mood and productivity but it has and I would highly recommend it to anyone who feels they need a bit of help getting going in the morning or who find they struggle in winter more than summer.
As a side note I have also found the light to be brilliant for when I am on zoom calls and taking product pictures too, so the multi functionality for me is amazing.
For more info or to order your own Upp light head to the website here and use code thehealthyparent to save £50.