Let’s talk about a simple yet powerful way to enhance your day—getting 10 minutes of sunlight within the first hour of waking up. At Whole Strength CrossFit, we’re not just about lifting weights and setting personal records; we’re about improving every aspect of your health and wellness. Today, we’ll explore why incorporating morning sunlight into your daily routine can boost your mood, sleep, focus and overall health.
The Power of Morning Sunlight:
Sunlight is a natural booster of serotonin, a hormone that elevates your mood and helps you feel calm and focused. Exposure to natural light in the morning also helps regulate your body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, which improves your sleep quality and overall health. Here’s why grabbing those rays as soon as you wake up is especially beneficial:
- Enhances Mood and Energy: Morning sunlight increases serotonin production, providing you with a natural mood lifter and a burst of energy to start your day.
- Improves Sleep: Regular exposure to morning sunlight helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up naturally.
- Boosts Vitamin D Levels: Sunlight is a key source of Vitamin D, essential for bone health and immune function.
Special Considerations
1. On a sunny day, step outside and face the sun (without looking directly into it) for 5-10 minutes. You can go on a walk, drink your morning coffee, stretch, journal or eat a light breakfast. On cloudy days you’ll need to extend that time to 15-20 minutes to get the same effects.
2. If you rise before the sun, turn on as many lights as possible and get outside when the sun comes up.
3. Remember not to wear sunglasses–you want your eyes to absorb the sunlight to get the benefits. This also means that your morning commute to work unfortunately doesn’t count–the windows/windshield block too many of the beneficial wavelengths.
Incorporating just 5-10 minutes of morning sunlight into your routine is an easy and effective way to enhance your mood, energy levels, focus and overall health. Tomorrow morning, step outside and greet the day with the sun’s warming glow—your body and mind will thank you for it!
Stay Strong,
Ryan