Starting your day by going out and getting some of that morning sun can have an incredible impact on both your physical and mental well-being! Getting out in the morning sun and exposing your body and eyes to the light first thing when you wake up can help with a range of things including leveling your hormones and managing your weight. Let’s take a look at the benefits of early morning sun exposure.
Improve Your Mental Health
Exposing your body and eyes to sunlight when you first wake up in the morning stimulates the production of a hormone called serotonin, which causes a boost in your mood. With this combination of sunlight and the boost in these serotonin levels, you may even notice that you are feeling more productive and focused throughout the day after going in the sun in the morning as it so positively impacts your brain.
Better Sleep
Exposure to morning sunlight when you first wake up signals to your body that it is time to wake up, which promotes alertness and helps you feel more energized. This can also lead to improved sleep quality at night, due to the fact that it helps with regulating your body’s “internal” clock, or circadian rhythm.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, immune function, heart health and overall well-being. Our bodies so heavily rely on vitamin D and can develop serious issues if we don’t get enough of it. Even just fifteen minutes of sun in the morning can help in improving your Vitamin D levels.
Weight Management
Basking in the morning sun may help regulate hormones that are linked to your appetite and metabolism. Due to this, some studies have suggested that getting those early morning rays may help in maintaining a healthy weight and can even reduce the risk of obesity.
Improved Immune Function
Regular exposure to sunlight has been linked to improved immune function. The vitamin D you get from the sun plays a large role in supporting your immune system and helping your body defend against different illnesses. If you have a cold or flu, going outside and getting some sun can be beneficial for these reasons.
Reduces Risk of Chronic Diseases
Consistent exposure to sunlight has been associated with a lower risk of various chronic diseases including many common cancers, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Some studies have suggested low vitamin D levels may be associated with type 2 diabetes and even schizophrenia. The benefits of vitamin D and its role in overall health contribute to this protective effect.
Enhances Skin Health
Moderate sunlight exposure can greatly benefit your skin, which promotes a natural glow and can even aid in improving conditions like psoriasis and eczema. However, make sure you keep an eye on the time while you’re being exposed and don’t stay out too long so as to avoid burning.
So, what are some ways to incorporate sunlight into your morning routine?
– Morning walks – walking in the morning is a great way to get moving for the day! Go for a brisk walk!
– Eat your breakfast and/or drink your morning coffee, juice or wheatgrass outdoors
– Do some stretches our pilates outdoors
Getting out in morning sun is such a simple and effortless step you can take that can greatly contribute to improving your overall health. So, when you wake up tomorrow, go out and soak up some sunrays for a little while, and have a great day!