Are you having trouble sleeping? Do you notice your energy levels are lower than they used to be? You may not realize it, but sunlight may have something to do with that. Sunshine can boost your mood and provide you with more energy, but not only that – sunlight can also improve your sleep, hormones, and overall health. Here are five ways that sunlight can be beneficial in these areas.
1) Too little sunlight can affect sleep
Sunlight helps regulate our body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that helps us fall asleep. Less sun means less sleep, which can lead to a host of problems. Without enough sleep, it becomes more difficult to concentrate and remember things. As a result, we’re less productive during waking hours. We also have higher levels of stress hormones like cortisol. This is because there are circadian clocks in the brain that control our hormones by regulating how much melatonin we produce at night to help us fall asleep.
2) It can also cause stress
Sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D, which is crucial for the production of serotonin, which helps improve sleep quality. This can be especially true for people who live in urban areas where there’s less sunlight than those who live in rural areas. However, too much sun exposure can also cause stress. Getting too much sun on your skin or spending time outdoors unprotected may increase your risk of skin cancer or other health risks like cataracts or eye damage from ultraviolet rays. If you’re planning to spend more time outside this summer, consider taking precautions such as applying sunscreen with SPF 15+ regularly to your face and body, wearing sunglasses when you’re out in the sun for long periods of time, and staying in the shade as often as possible.
3) Sunshine increases serotonin
Sunshine increases serotonin production by the pineal gland. The pineal gland is a pea-sized organ in the center of our brain that produces serotonin, which makes you feel happy, energized, and optimistic. Sunshine also stimulates the hypothalamus to produce melatonin, which regulates your sleep patterns. Melatonin levels are highest just before bedtime, making it easier to fall asleep.
One of the major symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is insomnia because the lack of light triggers the reduction in melatonin secretion from dusk until dawn. SAD sufferers can experience low energy levels, depression, weight gain or increased appetite, increased social isolation due to difficulty concentrating on anything besides thoughts about food or sleeping…
Exposure to natural sunlight can help improve mood and increase productivity throughout the day!
4) Sunshine leads to better hormones
Sunshine is important for a lot more than just vitamin D. It’s also a natural way to improve your sleep and hormone levels. A lack of exposure to sunlight can lead to an imbalance in the body’s hormones, specifically melatonin, serotonin, and cortisol. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate our circadian rhythms and sleep patterns, while serotonin is used as a neurotransmitter that helps regulate moods. Finally, cortisol regulates stress responses in the body; both high and low levels of it can be problematic. Studies show that people with higher morning light exposure tend to have healthier levels of all three hormones.
Some ways you can get more sunlight: Wear sunscreen! Even when you’re wearing sunscreen outdoors, you’re still getting some UVB rays which are necessary for vitamin D production. So don’t forget to apply it before going out!
5) Sunshine boosts alertness and energy during the day
Sunshine boosts alertness and energy during the day. It also helps control your body’s natural sleep-wake cycles, so you can fall asleep more easily at night. Plus, exposure to sunlight lowers the risk of developing SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Sunshine also has an effect on hormones such as melatonin and serotonin, which are linked to better moods. Research has shown that morning light might be best for improving hormone balance. So make sure you get out in the sunshine every morning!
There are many benefits to getting out in the sun every morning, from boosting mood and regulating sleep patterns to reducing risks of serious diseases like diabetes and cancer.
Start your day off with a walk outside or a quick jog around your neighborhood – it will do wonders for your well being!