How Light Impacts Your Sleep & Productivity
Light has a profound effect on humans. It allows us to see the world in vibrant colors and incredible detail. It affects our moods and regulates our biological responses.
When sunlight enters our eyes in the morning, it stimulates the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter known as the “happy hormone.” This neurotransmitter regulates sleep, improves moods, and provides a general sense of well-being. As the evening approaches, the body begins to convert it into melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep.
As part of the circadian rhythm, an internal clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and other essential functions, it worked well when we lived amidst nature, waking with the sun and retiring when it set. This day-to-night cycle synchronized our circadian rhythm, resulting in better sleep at night and more energy upon waking.
With the advent of electricity and indoor living, that cycle was disrupted. Today, it’s estimated that we spend close to 90% of our time indoors. As a result, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, up to 70 million people in the U.S. experience sleep disorders.
The Answer? Bringing natural light indoors with circadian rhythm lighting.
Let’s see how it’s done.
SEE ALSO: Smart Living Starts with Smart Lighting Control Systems
Out of Rhythm
So, how can you tell when your circadian rhythm isn’t quite in sync? Some of the signs include:
- Drowsiness
- Poor Coordination
- Difficulty Focusing
- Trouble Learning
According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the long-term effects of chronic sleep loss and shifting circadian rhythms include diabetes, obesity, mood disorders, blood pressure problems, and cancer.
The Effects of Light
It turns out that the color, amount, and even time of day we’re exposed to natural light affect our internal time clock. The bright, rich-blue light of daytime results in greater energy, productivity, and focused concentration. The sunset settles our bodies down, putting them into a state of relaxation.
At one time, we could count on the predictable patterns of the sun to provide us with natural circadian cues. Now, circadian lighting technology can step in.
The Benefits of Circadian Lighting
Circadian rhythm lighting, also known as human-centric lighting, aligns your home’s lighting with the light outside your windows. It mimics natural light through high-performance, tunable LED lighting, geolocators, and sensors, creating indoor lighting with the same color and intensity as changing daylight.
In the morning, your lighting takes on the soft golden-blue glow of dawn. Midday, you feel energized amidst bright, white-blue light. By the time the sun has set, your lights have transitioned to a warm, amber color, a temperature and hue that tells your body it's time to relax.
As you can imagine, this light not only promotes well-being but it’s also beautiful.
Managing Natural Light
At Westco Security & Technology Systems, we partner with Lutron, the industry leader in smart lighting control and Ketra's parent company. Ketra offers one of the most advanced natural lighting systems in the world. Together, they bring daylight indoors that’s effortless to control.
Press a button on an elegant, custom-engraved keypad or touchscreen, and your lights shift to a 24-hour natural light cycle. Select specific rooms or your entire home and feel the effects of natural illumination. Midday, you’ll feel like your home is filled with filtered sunlight.
Are you ready to bring the beauty of natural light indoors? At Westco Security, we’re excited to provide our clients with this life-changing illumination. To learn more about circadian rhythm lighting, contact Westco Security.
