This Simple Morning Ritual Will Improve Your Mood

Let there be light. Sunlight.

Exposure to natural sunlight within the first hour of waking in the morning has several health benefits. Morning sun exposure helps regulate our internal clock, aligning our circadian rhythms with the seasons, and stabilizes hormone production. Exposure to sunlight suppresses melatonin, the sleep hormone. Early morning exposure to sunlight not only makes us feel more awake, it boosts serotonin in the body. Increased serotonin, the hormone associated with feelings of well-being and happiness, elevates our mood.

Dr. Andrew Huberman, a Stanford based neuroscientist, teaches on the importance of morning light exposure in regulating mood and sleep. Tending to our body’s internal clock is an important strategy in optomizing your circadian rhythms to maximize sleep hygiene.

Light exposure has been linked to other health benefits such as improved alertness, cognitive functioning and an overall sense of wellbeing. Some studies suggest that exposure to natural light may also help regulate your appetite and metabolic functioning which could potentially have implications for healthy weight management.

Tomorrow morning, go outside, turn your cheeks to the sun and breathe in the day. Your body will thank you.