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From optimizing sleep to improving mental fitness, those changes can include the use of smart home devices, which not only automate various household functions but can also play an integral role in improving a person’s health and quality of life. Most people are aware of at least some of the numerous ways in which smart devices can make this happen:
Not to be left off of the wellness wagon are smart, motorized window shades, which can enhance a person’s pursuit of healthiness by supporting better sleep, mood, and productivity.
Motorized window shades go far beyond aesthetics and convenience (though those benefits are not to be overlooked). By automating and controlling light exposure, reducing glare, and offering privacy (without isolation), smart shades augment well-being in ways traditional window coverings cannot.
Let’s examine the four primary wellness benefits that smart, automated shades offer.
Our bodies follow a circadian rhythm, the 24-hour internal clock in our brain that regulates cycles of alertness and sleepiness by responding to light changes in our environment. (It also dictates critical functions such as sleep-wake cycles, hormone production, and overall alertness.) One of the primary factors influencing this rhythm is exposure to natural light.
The bright, natural light that appears in the morning lets you know it’s time to wake up and be alert. Conversely, dimming light in the evening prepares the body for sleep by stimulating the production of melatonin. The problem is, we are inundated by artificial lighting and computer/phone screens, not to mention the irregular schedules that our life and work often require. All of this leads to cycle disruption and poor sleep quality.
Enter motorized shades. Because smart shades can be programmed to open gradually at sunrise, they allow the soft morning light to rouse you from your slumber, rather than your irritating alarm clock.
When evening arrives, the shades can automatically lower, reducing harmful blue light exposure and providing a signal that you should be getting ready to turn in for the night. Plus, the lowering and raising of the shades can be programmed to automatically adjust when sunrise and sunset times shift.
And let’s not forget those wonderful midday naps (especially on the weekends). Using blackout shades, it’s possible to generate an environment that is highly conducive to sleep -- regardless of the time of day.
As you may know, natural light increases serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates various bodily activities, including behavior and mood. Unfortunately, many people live or work in spaces that don’t receive enough natural light, leading to fatigue, irritability, and reduced mental clarity. What’s more, lack of exposure to sufficient daylight can result in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), especially in fall and winter when shorter days and less daylight may set off a chemical change in the brain leading to symptoms of depression.
Manual shades are not a great source of relief, as they often remain closed for too long or are left open at times when they should be adjusted.
Motorized shades to the rescue. Through the “magic” of automated scheduling, the shades can adjust throughout the day to let in optimal light levels, contributing to an environment that is much more conducive to a better mood -- and a better day.
On the other hand, shades can soften brightness levels to alleviate discomfort if certain areas of the home or office are exposed to an excess of direct sunlight. Yet they can be adjusted so that the natural light benefits remain intact.
Overcast days? No problem. By integrating shades with smart bulbs, homeowners can replicate natural daylight indoors. All in all, motorized shades can supply a huge boost to your mental well-being and help a bad mood do an about-face.
Let’s face it: most of us spend too much time looking at some type of screen: television, phone, computer, laptop, or tablet. It’s excessive and is not doing your vision or your head any favors. In fact, screen glare is a major concern, since it’s a major cause of eye strain, headaches, and fatigue, to name just a few of the downsides.
To make matters worse, strong direct sunlight can wash out screens, making it difficult to see text or images clearly, exacerbating eye strain. And though traditional shades can provide some relief, the need to make manual adjustments leads to inconsistent light levels throughout the day.
Motorized shades can have a significant impact, as they can be set to provide “adaptive light control,” adjusting automatically when the sun changes position. This helps reduce screen glare without fully darkening the room. Further, controlled natural light in home offices enhances a person’s focus and reduces eye fatigue; increased productivity is the byproduct.
Let’s not forget the screens themselves, as well as your furniture. Excessive sunlight can harm electronics, furniture, even artwork. But automated shades act as a protective shield while maintaining a well-lit space at the same time. In the end, better light management translates to working, reading, and relaxing more comfortably, leading to fewer headaches and improved long-term eye health while keeping screens and furniture in the pink of health.
While light control is the most obvious function of automated shades, these smart devices can also be very useful in dampening noise. This benefit can be an important consideration for people who live in busy cities; or work remotely; or are light sleepers.
Certain fabrics and cellular shades have been engineering to provide significant sound absorption, creating a quieter indoor environment. With less auditory distraction comes better focus and concentration, enhancing productivity and relaxation -- whether you’re working, meditating, or trying to get restful sleep.
Additionally, in this age of remote work and online meetings, noise reduction is a welcome benefit; by softening the echo in a room, shades can improve audio quality for virtual meetings, home theaters, or music spaces.
The next time you think about home upgrades for better well-being, don’t overlook the power of smart light control via smart, automated shades. A simple change in how you manage daylight could make a dramatic difference in how you feel, work, and live.