Brain Hack: How Circadian Lighting Helps Improve Mental Health

Do you often wake up feeling sluggish and unmotivated? Need several cups of coffee to get through the day? And when it’s finally night, does your mind spin with worries about tomorrow, and you can’t bring yourself to fall asleep?

You aren’t alone. 62% of Americans reportedly consume coffee every day, while almost half of Americans say they feel sleepy during most of the week. Many factors can contribute to low energy levels, but our circadian rhythm, or internal clock, plays a major part.

What is the circadian rhythm? It’s our biological, internal timekeeper that regulates when we’re alert, tired, and hungry. Sunlight plays a major role in regulating our circadian rhythms, which is why you’ll find yourself waking up earlier on a camping trip. But if we spend too much time indoors under artificial light, our rhythms are thrown off course.

Luckily, smart lighting brands like Lutron have invented new ways to bring the benefits of natural light inside. Circadian lighting, or human-centric lighting, is already being used in homes, schools, and hospitals nationwide.

Could you benefit from a brain hack like circadian lighting? Learn more for your San Francisco, CA home below.

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Lighting’s Role in Health & Wellness

In the morning and midday, blue wavelengths naturally appear in sunlight. Blue light produces serotonin in our brains to create mental awareness, so you’ll feel energized and generally in a good mood. But if you’re spending the day in a dimly lit room, you might find yourself tired and therefore irritated or anxious that you don’t have the energy to get everything done.

However, exposure to blue light after sunset can degrade our sleep quality and disrupt our circadian rhythms. Some studies even suggest a link between nighttime blue light exposure and diabetes and heart disease. Blue wavelengths suppress the body’s natural production of melatonin. So, if your house is lit with cool, bright lights, you may be accidentally ruining your sleep patterns.

How Lutron Circadian Lighting Works

If only you could have bright, blue-white tinted light bulbs during the day and warm, soft lighting at night…Well, with Lutron smart lighting control, you can!

Lutron is transforming the way Californians illuminate their homes. With a Lutron smart lighting system, your home’s LEDs will automatically adjust their brightness and color temperature throughout the day, aligned to the sun’s cycle in your location.

When you wake up, your smart system will automatically brighten to a cool-white tone. Lights will gradually soften and warm in the afternoon until they look like a candlelight glow after dark. Your rooms will never feel too dim or stuffy during the day. And at night, lights won’t feel too harshly lit or unflattering.

You’ll find yourself more relaxed and at ease at night. And if you’re already in bed, simply tap the Lutron app to turn off lights across the room.

Sync Smart Lights with Motorized Shades

Lutron also manufactures a variety of stylish motorized shades that can work in tandem with your circadian lighting. We’ll program smart shades to rise and fall with the sun, so you’ll greet the sunrise from bed. In your home office, you won’t accidentally work in a dark, moody room with the blinds drawn. Tell your voice assistant to raise the blinds, and they’ll brighten the space automatically.

If you’d like to know more about circadian lighting for your San Francisco home, HomeTronics is your local smart home integrator. Contact us here to discuss your new lighting system today!