Creating a Healthier Home Environment with Automation
There was a time when our work hours and other activities were primarily tied to the sun’s rhythm. We rose with the first light, relying on the sun’s illumination. When darkness fell, we rested. As we evolved, the human body learned to adapt to this changing cycle.
Called circadian rhythms, these 24-hour cycles make up our internal biological time clock, influencing our hormones, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, mood, and immune function. They also have a profound effect on our sleep-wake cycle, ensuring we get enough rest.
When natural light enters our eyes in the morning, it increases the production of neurotransmitters that enhance energy and improve moods. Nightfall has a different effect, producing hormones that promote relaxation and sleep.
With the advent of electricity and our 24-hour lifestyle, we lost touch with the natural rhythms of the day, and our circadian rhythms grew out of sync. Here, we’ll explore the symptoms associated with this common imbalance, how it affects our children, and actions you can take to create a healthier living environment.
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The Symptoms of an Imbalanced Circadian Rhythm
Some of the symptoms associated with this common imbalance include having a hard time falling and staying asleep, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, headaches, and mood swings ranging from irritability to depression. You may also find yourself gaining weight for no apparent reason, feeling more stressed, and being more susceptible to colds and other illnesses.
In children who are still in their developmental stages, circadian imbalance can sometimes be mistaken for ADHD. These symptoms include mood swings ranging from slightly grumpy to hyperactive. They may also struggle with focusing, have reduced memory recall, and experience increased anxiety.
How to Ensure a Healthier Home and a Balanced Circadian Rhythm
Light and darkness have the greatest effect on the circadian rhythm. To that end, creating a home with lots of natural light during the day and a warm, cozy atmosphere in the evening can help realign the body’s internal clock.
At Powerfull Systems, we support healthier home environments through automated technology. Two of the ways we create healthier living spaces are through Ketra’s Natural Light settings and automated window treatments.
Bringing Natural Light Indoors
Homes with windows that bring in an abundance of natural light help support a healthy sleep-wake cycle. The problem lies in managing this natural light. Using sensors and programming, motorized shades can control this light for you.
They automatically rise in the morning, letting in the all-important first rays of the sun. As the heat increases and diffuse light transforms into direct UV rays, the shades lower over windows impacted by direct sunlight. The result is a home that takes advantage of the benefits of natural light while protecting its interior.
Synchronizing Indoor Lighting with the Sun
At Powerfull Systems, we partner with Lutron, the global leader in lighting control and the parent company of Ketra. Ketra’s Natural Light solution offers patented technology that enables your lighting to automatically shift throughout the day, reflecting the same color and intensity as the light outside your windows.
In the morning, your family wakes to the golden-blue hue of early sunrise. Midday, it feels as if natural light is filling your home, mimicking the midday sun. In the evening, it settles down into a warm amber glow.
The human body responds by coming back into balance and realigning with the circadian rhythm, ensuring a more restful sleep in the evening and balanced energy in the daytime.
Additional Ways to Improve Your Children’s Circadian Rhythm
Creating a home that’s in tune with the natural rhythms of the day involves preparing a peaceful transition when evening arrives. Keep the light dim at dinner and before bedtime. Limit exposure to bright artificial lighting, particularly the blue light emitted by computers, TVs, and phones. Ideally, have everyone put the screens away an hour before bed. If that’s not possible, advise using blue light filters or glasses. Now is the time for calming music and a warm bath, settling into a cozy and relaxing evening.
At Powerfull Systems, we’re excited to create healthier homes through the power of automation. To learn more about ensuring balanced circadian rhythms in your home, contact Powerfull Systems.
