The Importance of Morning Sunlight for Sleep Quality
If the quality of your sleep is not what it should be, you may be overlooking an important factor – proper exposure to sunlight in the mornings. Research has indicated that sunlight exposure can have positive effects on sleep quality due to its ability to influence the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is the body’s biological clock that regulates body temperature, hormones, and other aspects of the body that help to promote a regular sleep schedule.
In addition to influencing circadian rhythms and sleep cycles, sunlight can be beneficial due to its ability to raise the body’s temperature. A slightly elevated body temperature in the mornings has been correlated to better sleeping patterns. Therefore, light exposure in the morning may help the body feel more alert and ready for the day, while prompting an easier time falling asleep later at night.
Finally, sunlight can assist the body in producing melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland that can help enhance the quality of sleep. Research indicates that sunlight could actually influence melatonin’s ability to help regulate the sleep-wakefulness cycle.
Positive Effects of Morning Sunlight
Morning sunlight exposure can have a range of positive effects on the quality of a person’s sleep. The primary benefit of sunlight is that it can help the body detect light and dark cycles. This plays a critical role in the regulation of the circadian rhythm, which in turn helps the body maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
Sunlight exposure in the morning can also influence melatonin production. When sunlight hits the skin, it triggers the production of the Vitamin D, which can help the body process melatonin more efficiently. Melatonin aids in regulating sleep-wake cycles, so higher exposure to sunlight in the morning can help with this process.
Benefits of Warmer Morning Temperature
In addition to the body’s natural mechanisms for regulating sleep, sunlight can actually influence the temperature of your body. When the body is exposed to sunlight, it raises its temperature slightly. This can have a positive effect in that it helps the body feel more alert and ready for the day, while also prompting an easier time falling asleep at night.
A slight increase in temperature produced by sunlight will also contribute to the quality of sleep. Studies have found that slightly warmer temperatures can help improve sleep quality and duration. This is likely due to the body’s ability to relax when the core temperature is slightly higher.
Finally, sunlight exposure can be beneficial because it helps reduce exposure to blue light at night, which has been linked to poor sleep quality in adults and children. Sunlight helps reduce the amount of time spent exposed to artificial lights in the evening. This could have a noticeable effect on sleep quality.
Ways to Maximize Sunlight Exposure During Mornings
- Go outside for a walk for 15 minutes a day
- Take a break outside during lunchtime for a few minutes each day
- Invest in curtains or blinds that are light-blocking and open enough during the day to allow in natural light
- Reduce exposure to artificial light at night
- Use natural daylight when possible during the mornings
Conclusion
Although optimal exposure to sunlight in the morning is important for quality sleep, it is essential to note that the body needs natural light at any time of day. Sunlight influences sleeping patterns, melatonin production, and the body’s temperature, which can all have a positive effect on sleep quality. Therefore, it is important to receive adequate exposure to sunlight – especially in the morning – to promote a healthy sleep cycle.