While many people find lasting energy from eating a healthy breakfast and practicing a morning skincare routine, there is another (simple!) step that can help you stay motivated to prepare for the rest of your day. We checked in with healthcare experts and doctors who advised prioritizing this one easy habit that you will find is powerful in so many ways— from providing you with essential nutrients to improving your mood, as well. Read on for tips and suggestions from Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino, M.D., board-certified family physician at Parsley Health and Dr. Yelena Deshko, N.D., founder of Timeless Health Clinic in Toronto.
How Finding A Moment In The Sunlight Benefits Your Overall Health
While the act of drawing the curtains back and preparing for the day is already a natural part of our daily lives for many of us, truly finding a time to take in the sunlight can have immense benefits for your overall (and definitely mental) health.
“The one morning habit that can create lasting energy throughout the day is the simple act of exposing yourself to natural sunlight in the morning for 3-5 minutes while doing breathwork,” Tolentino explains. This, she says, helps to switch your body from producing the hormone melatonin, to producing optimal amounts of the cortisol hormone to help sustain and support you throughout the day.
Whether you want to sit in the sunlight (after applying sunscreen of course!) with your morning coffee or jot down notes or reminders for the day, getting that essential Vitamin D can make all the difference, especially if you didn’t get all the recommended 8 hours of sleep the night before.
“Exposing yourself to bright sunlight each morning (or using a full spectrum light lamp) can help regulate circadian rhythm and combat seasonal affective disorder and depression,” Deshko adds. She notes that this can also improve sleeping patterns. “It's a great way to energize for the day,” she says.
Overall, the options for finding time to take the sun in are endless— whether it’s meditating for 3 minutes, journaling to prepare for the day, eating your breakfast or even going for a quick walk. Especially when stressed, finding time to utilize the natural healing power of the sun can provide energy, experts explain, to last throughout the day. Try it every morning this week, make it a habit, and see its significance!
