Clocks ‘Spring Forward’ and Sleep: How Home Lighting Can Help

News | March 8, 2024

Clocks ‘Spring Forward’ and Sleep: How Home Lighting Can Help

The Dyson Solarcycle Morph lights seamlessly adjust to daylight changes, with daylight tracking technology.

It is that time of year that many have been eagerly waiting for: daylight extends, the clocks spring forward and while an hour of sleep is lost, the change signals the arrival of brighter, warmer days and the beginning of spring.

Adjusting to this time change, even just by one hour, can disrupt our routines more than we realize. Freddie Garnham, Lighting Design Engineer shares some practical tips for supporting your circadian rhythm, to make the most of spring as it approaches.

"Our aim with the Dyson Solarcycle Morph was to challenge the conventions of contemporary artificial lighting, to create a lighting solution that adapts to the natural rhythms of daylight. We hope to help people maintain their routines and achieve a peaceful environment in their homes, especially as the clocks change.”

Freddie Garnham, Lighting Design Engineer

Adjust your sleep schedule

Preparing for the shift in time can be a simple yet effective way to minimize the disruption to your daily routine. By gradually adjusting your sleep schedule in the days leading up to the time change, you can help your body acclimate to the new time seamlessly.

Begin adjusting your sleep schedule a few days prior to the time change by going to bed and waking up 15-30 minutes earlier each day.

This gradual shift can help ease the transition and make it feel less abrupt.

Choose the right light for your activity

Selecting the appropriate lighting for your tasks is important for creating the perfect ambiance and optimising productivity. The Dyson Solarcycle Morph is flexible and multifunctional, delivering light throughout a room in four different formats – indirect, task, feature, and ambient light.

Think about the atmosphere you want to achieve for the room and precisely what you want to do in it.

Ensure you still have the right level of light for your task – if you want a warm, dim light to read under, make sure it still delivers enough light to help avoid eye strain.

For intricate tasks such as painting, drawing or applying makeup, consider lighting with a high color rendering index for accurate, life-like colors.

Gradual wake up

Transform your mornings with a gradual wake-up routine. Set your light to brighten gradually to create a more natural wake-up environment.

Program your lighting to gradually brighten and simulate natural dawn. Dyson’s Solarcycle Morph comes with a ‘wake-up mode’ to help create a more natural wake-up environment at your desired time.

This gradual increase in light intensity helps synchronise your body's internal clock.

Daylight tracking

Matching your home lighting with natural daylight patterns is important for regulating your circadian rhythm. Bright, natural light during the day boosts alertness and productivity while dimming lights in the evening help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. The Dyson Solarcycle Morph’s daylight tracking technology supports your body clock by adjusting light accordingly, regardless of external lighting conditions.

Consider adjusting the lighting in your home to match the natural daylight patterns.

Using bright, natural light during the day can help you stay alert and energised, while dimming lights in the evening can signal to your body that it's time to prepare for sleep.