Returning to regular routines

June 24, 2024

The end of summer usually means winding down from a few exciting months of freedom — but this year, the end of summer marks the gradual return to a normal routine. If you’re having trouble getting back into an ordinary day-to-day, let Philips Hue help ease you back into “regular” life.

Returning to the office? Don’t forget to factor in your commute! Many people have been “commuting” to their home offices, meaning that bedtimes and wake-ups have been later than usual. Make sure that you and the kids get up on time by setting an automation, helping you start the day off right. 

Bright idea: Set a Wake up automation in the Hue app that slowly brightens the lights in your bedroom at a chosen time (the Signe gradient table lamp in oak makes a great lamp for the bedside table!), helping you rise easier instead of using a jarring alarm clock. Once you’re up and at ‘em, have the lights in your kitchen turn to the cool blue of the Energize light recipe to set the tone for a productive day.

With the kids back at school, you may need a little help keeping them on track when at home. Use the bright, cool light of the Concentrate light recipe to help them stay focused, which is especially useful when doing homework or attending online classes.

Bright idea: The Concentrate light recipe isn’t just for the kids! Use it whenever you need a bit of a nudge to get yourself into concentration mode — cooking, cleaning, organizing your finances, or anything else that just needs to get done.

Now that you’re back at the office, make coming home after a long day feel like you’re coming home to your own little slice of paradise. Custom scenes allow you to create the perfect atmosphere in which to unwind — and, with Philips Hue, you can trigger them with the touch of a button.

Bright idea: Create a scene with relaxing tones — warm white and soothing orange, for example — in the Hue app. Navigate to Accessory settings and map the scene to a button on your Hue dimmer switch so you can set it as soon as you walk in the door.

Going back into your busy schedule can be exhausting, especially if you’ve been working from home for a few weeks, so settling down before bed may prove to be difficult. Use the Go to sleep automation, which gradually dims the lights until your chosen bedtime, to help you drift off easier — a much better option than playing with your phone.

Bright idea: You can schedule a Go to sleep automation at a certain time every night in the Hue app — but not everyone has a consistent sleep schedule. If your bedtime routine is more unpredictable, you can trigger your Go to sleep automation with the tap of a button in the Hue app (or even your voice!).