Suneshine Part I: Make Sunrise A Part of Your Daily Routine
What if you could harness the healing power of sunlight to improve your health and well-being? Well, you can! Read on to learn the many benefits of sunlight for our vitality and explore the practice of sungazing as a morning routine.
Many people, especially those living in the northern hemisphere, do not get enough sunlight for optimal health. And spending most of your time indoors can make it a real challenge to get enough beneficial exposure to sunlight in your daily life. So, why is sunlight so important to our wellbeing? Scientific research suggests that a healthy daily dose of sunlight provides these essential benefits:
It’s the most natural and bioavailable source of Vitamin D
Utilizes cholesterol in the blood stream for essential body systems
Decreases the risk of some cancers
Supports good mental health
Promotes a healthy circadian rhythm (sleep/wake cycles)
Improves sleep patterns
Balances hormones, and
Improves energy and reduces fatigue
There are SO many benefits to sunlight, and I cover them more in depth in this post. For today, let’s focus on the last four benefits which are directly related to watching the sun rise- often referred to as sungazing.
How Sunlight Improves Our Sleep, Balances Hormones, Improves Energy, and Reduces Fatigue
In the simplest terms, sunshine is the messenger that delivers instructions through your eyes to the parts of the brain responsible for signaling the release of cortisol, a wakefulness hormone that gives us the energy needed to start and carry us through the day. Sunshine also provides instructions, again, through the eyes to set your circadian rhythm or sleep cycle by turning on/off the hormone, melatonin. If you struggle to rise in the morning, struggle with sleep, or both, then watching the sunrise daily will help you get better sleep and set a more regular clock for waking and sleeping.
To ensure a safe practice as you incorporate sunrise into your daily routine, follow these guidelines:
Practice Sungazing Only at Sunrise and Sunset
People often ask me when is the best time for sungazing. There are specific times of the day when you are not at risk of exposure to the sun’s potentially dangerous (but also beneficial regarding the role UV rays play in Vitamin D synthesis) UVA & UVB rays: sunrise and sunset, when the sun is less than 30° above the horizon. If you want to try sungazing, only do so within approximately thirty minutes after sunrise (or before sunset when the sun has dropped below 30° above the horizon). At any other time, the sunlight is too strong and poses serious risk to the delicate structure of your eyes. This is important so let me state that again: Sungazing at any other time can result in lasting damage to the eyes.
Start Small
When you first begin sungazing, try it for about 10 seconds, adding an additional 10 seconds per day or whatever feels good to you. In a short time, you can work up to about 30 minutes. This is the maximum recommended time but know that even one minute per day will result in some benefit. I typically spend 10-15 minutes sungazing and even when I know I don’t have that time, I at least walk outside and enjoy a few minutes of sunshine on my face.
Face the Sun
Sungazing doesn’t require you to stare directly into the sun. Simply looking in the direction of the sun will provide all the benefits of sungazing. You will find that the closer the sun is to the horizon the easier it is to look in the sun’s direction and even at the sun. As the sun rises and gets brighter, it becomes difficult to stare directly at the sun. Don’t strain yourself! Whether it’s a clear or cloudy day, getting up, getting outside, and facing the direction of the sun is enough to reap the benefits. The sun’s code, as explained above, will find its way into your eyes.
Leave your eyeware behind
Remove any eyewear, including glasses and contacts. Even if the sun is hidden behind the clouds, go outside and soak in the sunlight by staring into the direction of the sun. You will still benefit. Do your best to go outdoors, removing the obstruction of windows since the effect does not translate through glass.
Try to relax
Simply stand, or sit comfortably and face the sun. Don’t forget to blink. And, while your’re outside, try standing barefoot on the grass. The negative ions from mother earth have many benefits of their own like, neutralizing free radicals, enhancing immune function, and balancing the autonomic nervous system to name a few. Oh, the magic of nature’s wonders.
Develop an intention or send out gratitude
It may help you to focus on an intention or send out gratitude to the sun for providing all the instructions for energetic days and restful, sleep filled nights.
That’s it! It may seem a challenging task if you are at all like I used to be. Waking up early was a definite no go for me, let alone waking up feeling rested. The struggle was real but I promise you that after a week or so of practicing sungazing, the struggle subsides. You will notice your mind and body shift to a more rested and wakeful state in the morning. And, your sleep will improve too.
Wishing you all the light your eyes can take in!
*Not all medical doctors recommend sungazing. Speak with your health practitioners before you try it to discuss the benefits and risks. As with all health practices, you must decide what is best for your body. Fortunately, the benefits of sunlight manifest themselves quite readily when we begin to get regular sun exposure as a part of our daily routine.