Are Smart Glass Windows the Cure for Your Sleep Problems?

The results of a new study show that more access to daylight with the help of smart windows improves sleep and reduces anxiety. 

The REVOLV study, published in the renowned International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, exposed 20 apartment residents from Virginia to different indoor lighting conditions over a two-week period.

During the first week, they spent time with blinds on their windows, and during the second, they resided in an apartment with direct sunlight-blocking windows, also known as smart windows.

The group exposed to daylight through the self-tinting smart windows fell asleep 22 minutes earlier than those using blinds and slept for 16 minutes longer each night.  

In addition, the blinds group had less energy in the morning, while the smart windows group recorded an 11% reduction in anxiety and a 9% reduction in stress levels.

The sleep tracking devices worn by participants also confirmed that more daylight exposure means:

• Longer and more restorative sleep
• Improved circadian alignment  
• Better score on the mental health questionnaire

This study conducted by the Light and Health Research Center at Icahn Mount Sinai also confirms that our bodies have a physiological and psychological need for light.

Daylight affects the production of melatonin, the hormone associated with control of the sleep–wake cycle. Sure, quality melatonin supplements can help you restore your circadian rhythm, but getting it through daylight exposure is far better. 

Experts also found that reduced access to daylight was contributing to coronasomnia during last year’s lockdowns. 

Meanwhile, a separate study in 2020, involving blinds and smart glass use in an office environment, produced interesting results. Participants exposed to daylight through smart glass had a better cognition score that was 42% higher than those working in an office with standard glass and blinds.