Smart Light Schedule to Restore Your Body's Natural Circadian Rhythm

April 18, 2024

Today’s modern world doesn’t always support the natural daily cycle of our bodies. From extended screen time to busy schedules, our day isn’t typically guided by the rise and fall of the sun anymore. Technological advancements and smart home systems have made it increasingly simple to adjust artificial light in homes to support anyone’s specific daily schedules. And by setting a smart light schedule to match your routine, you can help restore your body’s natural circadian rhythms to improve sleep, mood and productivity.

How do I restore my natural circadian rhythms?

According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences “Circadian rhythms are the physical, mental, and behavioral changes an organism experiences over a 24-hour cycle.” There are several influences that can impact an individual’s circadian rhythm, like food intake, stress, physical activity and environment, but light and dark have the strongest known impact on our circadian rhythm.

Before alarm clocks, we woke up and went to sleep with the sun. Our body was naturally attuned to the light levels of each day and throughout the year, and we adjusted to accommodate the amount of light present each day. Today, our schedules are less flexible, and our homes are filled with artificial lighting and electronic devices. With the help of smart lighting technology, it’s possible to set preferred schedules for your home’s lighting to reset and restore natural circadian rhythms that support a modern lifestyle.

Morning Wake Up Schedule

Setting a wake-up schedule with smart lighting is a more natural and pleasant way to get up in the morning than by the jarring sound of an alarm clock. Smart lighting allows users to set their ideal wake up time and wake up to gradually increasing lights throughout the home. You even can set the specific rooms where the lights will turn on, which can be helpful for households with different schedules. Wake-up schedules can be especially impactful during the winter months when we simply don’t have as much sunlight throughout the day.

Evening Sleep Schedule

When we’re preparing ourselves to go to sleep, the best thing we can do is limit light exposure. Dimming the lighting in your home and avoiding artificial lighting from smartphones, tablets and TVs before bedtime can all positively impact your sleeping. With Smart lighting, you can set timers throughout the house to decrease your exposure to bright lighting as you’re preparing for sleep.

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