Why is morning sunlight important?

Sources:

Morning sunlight is crucial for setting our biological clocks, promoting wakefulness, and enhancing alertness. explains that morning sunlight exposure activates specific neurons that signal to our brain and body that it's daytime, initiating various biological cascades important for optimal function. A burst of cortisol each morning from sunlight is healthy, supporting wakefulness and a healthy immune system 1.

Hormones like cortisol and melatonin are regulated by morning sunlight, affecting our sleep-wake cycles to ensure we feel awake during the day and can sleep well at night 2. Exposure to morning sunlight has been shown to improve overall mood and mental health 3.

Morning Sunlight

Andrew explains the importance of getting morning sunlight to set your circadian rhythms and promote wakefulness. He emphasizes that the short pulse of cortisol that comes with morning sunlight is healthy and promotes a healthy immune system. He also gives tips on how to safely get sunlight exposure and mentions that this protocol applies to animals as well.
Huberman Lab
Maximizing Productivity, Physical & Mental Health with Daily Tools | Huberman Lab Podcast #28
1
2
3
4
5

Even on cloudy days, getting sunlight is key, and if sunlight isn't enough, staying outside for longer periods can compensate for lower light intensity. All this aligns with a circadian system needing to determine the time of day, aided by light signals 4.

For those who cannot access sunlight due to various circumstances, suggests considering a bright light source, such as a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) lamp, which can be a useful substitute, although still not as effective as natural sunlight 5.

RELATED QUESTIONS