Morning Sun Exposure

Getting daily morning sun exposure is one of my favorite tools for optimal health & vitality. Daily sun exposure not only provides us with a boost of energy in the early hours of the day but also balances our circadian rhythm (our bodies internal sleep/wake cycle) to help us fall asleep faster at night. This also helps us have a more restful night’s sleep. Getting morning light exposure helps to balance our hormones, replenish our body with Vitamin C, strengthen our immune system, boost metabolism, and increase our body’s ability to stay focused during the day. Morning sun sets our bodies up to function at an optimal level - and it’s also just a great addition to add to your morning routine to feel good, clear & awake in the morning.

When we are exposed to light exposure in the morning hours of the day, it increases early hour cortisol release - the time of the day we want to have a cortisol release. This morning cortisol spike helps to regulate hunger, body temperature, and begins to prepare the body for sleep later on in the day. The earlier you get sun exposure, the better you will feel during the day and the better you will sleep at night. For me, morning sun is a non-negotiable.

How to:

• Each morning, an hour upon waking, expose your eyes to sunlight for 5-20 minutes. The longer the better.

• Whether you go sit outside with warm lemon water, take a walk, workout outside, or sit and read or journal, make sure you are getting light exposure within the hour you wake.

• Don’t look directly into the sun, however, look in the direction of the sun to ensure your eyes are exposed to sunlight.