Why we Need
Sunglight
Early morning sunlight exposure calibrates your circadian rhythm and the release of cortisol, serotonin, and melatonin. This supports vibrant energy and mood during the day and restful sleep at night. The early morning, in particularly, exposes us to a different type of sunlight that we do not get the rest of the day. The sunlight in the morning, instead, is full of UV-A and IR-A (or infrared) lights. IR-A rays are extremely beneficial for health. This combination releases a cascade of hormones to make sure we release melatonin at night for better sleep too! How can you increase your UVA/IRA exposure more so? Sit by an east facing open window, go for a walk, or spend at least 15 minutes outside each morning. Morning sunlight is one of the most reliable signals our bodies have to get a bearing on what time of the day it is. By starting out with sunlight, we can make sure we get better sleep at night.
There are several reasons why morning light is crucial for energy. One of these is the circadian rhythms discussed above. Circadian rhythm not only encourages the body to produce melatonin at night, but it also regulates energy during the day.
Blue light is everywhere and difficult to avoid. From TV, phone, and computer screens to LED and fluorescent lights, we are all exposed to higher amounts of blue light than ever. Science is only just beginning to understand why this is a problem. Recent research linked blue light with a number of health issues, including:
- Disrupted sleep
- High levels of cortisol
- Circadian disruption
- Eye issues
The red light associated with the morning sun can provide a powerful counterforce to blue light damages.
We should get as much early morning sun as possible. While 20-30 minutes can do wonders for health, even 10-15 minutes first thing in the morning can produce benefits.
Sunlight Tips
Get up at dawn. The closer to sunrise, the better the benefits. A good general rule is that the most benefits come from the sun when our shadows are longer than our bodies. This is when there is the most red light. However, if getting up is a struggle, getting sunlight as soon as waking up still has benefits.
Show some skin. Clothing can block the skin from absorbing the rays of the sun. To get the most benefits, wear as little as clothes as possible to absorb the most IR-A and UV-A rays. Take off your sweater, put on a swimsuit, or even go naked if possible! If you have an EMR-TEK device at home, then most certainly be as naked as possible!
Don’t forget the eyes. The human eye has the amazing ability to absorb and use sunlight. Get the maximum effects by removing all barriers to the eyes. Take off any sunglasses, glasses, and contacts to get the naked eye exposed. Spend some time in the sun before putting on glasses or contacts for the day.
Combine with earthing for amplified effects. The morning sun provides amazing benefits on its own. However, it can be combined with earthing, also referred to as “grounding,” for an even better morning boost. There is a lot of research that taking off our shoes and feeling the Earth beneath our feet is beneficial for our health. And if you have a Fur Baby don’t forget they need the healing benefits of the sun too! They are the best grounders to Mother Earth and will be able to soak in the benefits as much as you as well.
