Workplace Wellness: The Benefits of Circadian Rhythm Lighting

Poor sleep leads to poor performance. Everyone who’s experienced a sleepless night understands the fatigue, irritability, and lack of focus that come along with it.

Unfortunately, after months of lockdown, working from home, and homeschooling children, most adults are reporting poorer sleep quality.

So, what could that mean for those returning to work soon? Is there a way to make the body and mind feel rested, even when they’re not?

We’re sharing some valuable research that indicates there are some solutions.

 What is circadian rhythm?

All species have an internal clock that controls periods of activity and inactivity. Also known as a sleep-wake cycle or an internal body block, a circadian rhythm is a natural 24-hour process that’s designed to regulate feelings of wakefulness and sleepiness—an area of the brain that responds to light and dark controls this complex timekeeper. 

During the daytime, light exposure causes the body’s internal clock to send signals to the brain that generate alertness. Conversely, at nighttime, your eyes signal your brain to make more melatonin, a natural hormone produced by the brain’s pineal gland that promotes sleepiness. 

How does circadian rhythm affect your body cycles?

When people talk about circadian rhythm, it’s most often in the context of sleep; however, it also affects other important functions of your body, such as your hormones, temperature, and eating habits. When a circadian rhythm is properly aligned, it can promote consistent and restorative sleep. When it’s disrupted over the long term, it can seriously disturb the body and brain. 

Our bodies have been trained for thousands of years to conform with 24-hour patterns of sunrise and sunset. But as we continue to shift toward an increasingly technologically-driven world abounding with ever-brighter touch screens and an always-on work culture, our body’s natural circadian rhythm begins to change. 

How can circadian lighting design help promote a healthier workspace?

The pandemic’s disruption to regular daily routines has taken a toll in more ways than one. A recent study found that about 3 out of 5 American adults say they’re experiencing the worst sleep of their lives due to Covid-19 conditions. 

As many businesses prepare for employees to return to work in either a hybrid or full-time capacity in 2021, companies are looking for effective ways to protect people while also maintaining productivity in the workplace. One solution is the implementation of circadian lighting.

In simple terms, circadian lighting or “human-centric” lighting is designed to mimic the pattern of the body’s natural circadian rhythm, attempting to counteract the adverse effects of manufactured light. When used in offices, hospitals, or other workplace settings, circadian lighting can keep employees alert – and research backs this up. According to the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, lights that mimic sunlight and have a cooler color temperature lead workers to be more productive and energetic.

Upgrade your workplace with products for circadian lighting.

At Digital Filaments, we work with a broad range of specification grade lighting manufacturers who offer products for circadian lighting. Please visit www.digitalfilaments.com or call us directly at 215.600.2024 to find out how you can effectively incorporate circadian lighting strategies in your facility and support your team’s health and wellbeing in the new year and beyond.