Morning sunlight isn’t just a pleasant way to start your day – it’s also a powerful tool for improving your health. Research shows that getting sunlight in the morning can have a positive impact on your sleep, mood, energy levels, and overall well-being. Here’s why and how you can make the most of it!
What's So Special About Morning Light?
At noon, the sky looks blue because the blue wavelengths of light are short. But morning light is different. When the sun is closer to the horizon at sunrise, its rays have to travel through a larger portion of the atmosphere before they reach us. This causes the light to be scattered in a way that makes it look warmer and softer.
Morning light also contains more infrared and near-infrared (NIR) light, which we can't see with our eyes. Even though we can't see it, studies show that this light has a powerful effect on our bodies. The right amount of infrared light can be really good for our health and has many benefits.
Infrared Light and Its Powerful Effect on Our Bodies
Infrared light is a type of light we can't see, but it plays a big role in our biology. We feel infrared light as "heat." The warmth we feel from the sun or when you stand near a fire or an oven is infrared light.
But infrared light doesn’t just warm us up—it actually helps our cells work better. It turns the water in our cells into a type of energy, almost like a battery.
It's no surprise that sitting near a fire feels so comfortable. The light from a fire is full of infrared light, which helps regulate melatonin (a hormone that controls sleep) and keeps our circadian rhythms (our internal body clock) in balance.
The Science Behind the Benefits of Morning Sunlight:
- Boosts Your Mood: Morning sunlight helps increase the production of serotonin in your brain, which can improve your mood and make you feel happier.
- Regulates Your Sleep Cycle: Exposure to natural light in the morning helps set your body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. This leads to better sleep quality and helps you feel more awake during the day.
- Improves Vitamin D Levels: Sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D, which plays a key role in bone health, immune function, and mood regulation.
- Increases Energy: Morning sunlight helps reset your body’s natural energy patterns, giving you more energy throughout the day.
- Supports Mental Clarity: Sunlight helps improve focus and mental clarity by stimulating your brain’s production of feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters.
5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Sunlight Exposure:
- Go Outside First Thing: Try to step outside within 30 minutes of waking up. Even just 10-15 minutes of sunlight can have a positive effect on your body’s rhythm.
- Avoid Sunglasses (at First): Let your eyes absorb the light naturally. However, avoid staring directly at the sun. Just soak up the sunlight as you go about your morning routine.
- Spend Time in Nature: If possible, take a walk outside in a natural setting, like a park or garden. This helps you connect with nature while soaking up the sun’s benefits.
- Keep It Consistent: Try to get sunlight every day at the same time, as consistency helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle and keeps your body’s clock in sync.
- Take Advantage of Cloudy Days: Even on cloudy days, you can still get benefits from the sun’s rays, as up to 80% of sunlight can penetrate through the clouds.
Final Thought:
Getting morning sunlight is a free and easy habit that can make a big difference in your health. By spending just, a little time outside each morning, you’ll feel more energized, sleep better, and improve your overall well-being.