Morning sunlight powers better sleep
Getting 10 minutes of direct sunlight outside 30-60 minutes after waking and ideally no later than 9 a.m. helps set your Circadian rhythm and will help you get better, more restful sleep.
It sends your body a signal to kickstart cortisol production, which starts your Circadian clock and will help you fall asleep when it’s bedtime.
It helps you stay awake during the day and improves your ability to fall asleep at night.
If you wake up before the sun is up, a bright overhead light is better than nothing, but still go outside as soon as the sun rises.
Don’t wear sunglasses. Eyeglasses and contacts are okay, you’ll still get the desired effect.
“The light we get from being outside on a summer day can be a thousand times brighter than we’re ever likely to experience indoors,” says melatonin researcher Russel J. Reiter of the University of Texas Health Science Center.
Want to learn more? Check out these studies.