There are a few concepts that are vital to human sleep, and one of these is the presence of dark and light. Our bodies have circadian rhythms that dictate our 24-hour waking and sleeping cycles, and the presence of light — or lack thereof — plays a huge role in this process.
At Elite Audio & Video Automation, we’re excited to play a modern role in the regulation of light and dark for our clients through our automated lighting and shade features. We offer several products, from automatic blinds to both indoor and outdoor lighting control systems, that have a direct impact on sleep and sleep quality for many of our clients. What’s the basic science behind the way these kinds of automatic blinds and related products benefit your sleep? Here’s a primer.
Mornings and Natural Light
For many people who deal with sleep deprivation or any other related issues, mornings are the real concern. It can be tough to wake up at a consistent time, but this is often an important part of maintaining circadian rhythms.
Automated blinds and related products allow for the most convenience possible in this area. They will automatically let natural light in early in the morning if you like, and also help to offset any kind of disruption that might occur by making noise at a predetermined time. This helps many people’s sleep-wake cycles get back on track after waking up early or being woken up at an unexpected time.
Novelty in the Environment
There’s also plenty of research showing that novelty of environment has positive cognitive effects on people, including those that decrease stress and may help improve sleep quality. And because automated blind and shade features are absolutely still “novel” for most of us, even if they’re used frequently, this can help with cognitive benefits that lead to better sleep.
Energy Savings
Finally, automated blinds and shades also provide huge benefits in related energy usage areas that often connect directly to sleep. For instance, keeping a cool environment is a vital part of good sleep, and certain automated systems that open or close automatically can help with this. You’ll also save money in the long run by cutting down on your cooling and heating costs.
Many homeowners don’t realize quite how much their window coverings will impact heating and cooling efficiency, especially in the winter months. However, many of our automated solutions can cut down on the amount of energy needed to control temperature for this reason, and we love working with these kinds of products.
The bottom line is that there are a number of benefits to adding automation features to your home’s window coverings. To learn more about these or any of our products or services, speak to the staff at Elite Audio & Video Automation today.