Why is morning sunlight important?

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Morning sunlight is crucial for setting our circadian rhythms, which regulate alertness and sleep patterns 1. It stimulates the release of cortisol, a hormone that promotes wakefulness and supports a healthy immune system 2. This exposure to sunlight also suppresses any residual melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleepiness, and enhances metabolism 3. More importantly, light viewing early in the day is the strongest signal to the brain for maintaining alertness throughout the day and ensuring a good night's sleep 4.

Morning Sunlight Benefits

Getting outside for morning sunlight can energize your body and enhance your alertness throughout the day. If you miss a day, simply increase your sunlight exposure the following day to maintain your body's natural rhythms. Utilizing tools like a light meter can help you measure brightness levels, reinforcing the importance of sunlight in regulating sleep and metabolism. Embracing this practice can lead to improved sleep quality and overall well-being.
Huberman Lab
Sleep Toolkit: Tools for Optimizing Sleep & Sleep-Wake Timing | Huberman Lab Podcast #84
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Sunlight exposure impacts the body's biological cascades, affecting various organs, including the liver, gut, heart, and brain, placing them on a healthy daily path 2. Even in overcast conditions or when the light is dim, a longer duration spent outside can be beneficial 5. The practice of getting morning sunlight should be followed consistently for optimal benefits 1. If consistent exposure to natural sunlight isn't possible, finding alternatives like SAD lamps can be considered 6.

Overall, regular morning sunlight exposure is recommended to improve daytime mood, focus, alertness, metabolism, and nighttime sleep 4 7.

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