For millions of years, the human species had a very reliable lighting schedule: bright, blue-rich light from the sun during the day, and soft, warm, amber light from fire at night.
Modern life has broken this cycle. We blast ourselves with bright, blue-rich light from overhead LEDs at 9:00 PM. This signals to your brain that it is noon, suppressing melatonin and wrecking your sleep.
To optimize for circadian health—a great goal for the New Year—we recommend a “Sunset Protocol” for your home:
- Kill the Overhead: After sunset, turn off the big recessed cans in the ceiling.
- Lower the Level: Use sconces, cabinet lighting, and baseboard lights instead.
- Warm the Color: Use “Dim to Warm” fixtures. As these lights dim, they shift from crisp white to a glowing amber, mimicking the setting sun.
It creates a cozy atmosphere, and it actually prepares your body for rest.
Call to Action: Contact us today to learn how we can automate this shift so you don’t even have to think about it.