Why Morning Sunlight is Good for Your Health

Many morning routines and rituals suggest going outside for a bit of fresh air and morning sun, and whether you decide to go on a walk, sip your coffee on your porch, or just stick your head out the window for a few deep breaths, there are many benefits to getting some sunlight and fresh air specifically in the morning. You can ditch the SPF in the early hours; studies have shown that morning sunlight is good for your health, both mentially and physically. Read on to find out why you’re better off catching some rays before you head to work!

 

The Science of Sunlight

If you’ve ever looked at light through a prism, you know that white light is actually made up of a rainbow of colors. Not all colors, or rays, of light are created equal. Remember when you discussed light waves in high school physics? UV (or ultra-violet) light has one of the quickest frequencies (shortest wavelengths), while on the other end of the spectrum, infrared light has one of the slowest frequencies (longest wavelengths). The curvature of the earth and the atmosphere interact differently with various rays of light; that’s one of the reasons the sky is blue, and your sunscreen is labeled for UV-A and UV-B protection.

 

Not All Sunlight is Created Equal

Different types of light interact with your skin and body in varying ways. In excess, UV light is known for causing sunburns, moles, and even skin cancer. The shorter wavelengths penetrate only the first few layers of skin and can damage the genetic material in your cells. Though being out in the sun isn’t inherently dangerous and can actually be good for you, damage from prolonged exposure to both UV-A and UV-B rays can accumulate in your body.

 

Infrared light, on the other hand, penetrates deeper than the surface of the skin and goes into the subcutaneous layers of your body. Infrared light isn’t associated with tanning or any of the dangerous effects of UV light. IR light excites the water molecules in your body and promotes quicker healing for wounds, pain relief, weight loss, faster cellular regeneration, and improved cardiovascular functioning.  You may have heard of the new trend of infrared saunas; though the benefits are prone to being exaggerated, IR saunas have been scientifically proven to be helpful for people with cardiovascular concerns.

A person standing on the beach at sunrise.

Experiencing the Morning Sunlight

Due to the ways light rays enter the earth’s atmosphere, the amount of each kind of light varies throughout the day. When the sun is high in the sky, the short wavelength UV rays make up a majority of the light. In the morning as the sun is coming up over the horizon, IR rays make up a higher concentration of the light coming through (and just enough UV rays get through to promote their good side effects without too much of the bad!).

The first two hours after the sun is fully risen are typically the best time to get a good concentration of UV and IR rays. Since there isn’t a lot of UV light coming through in the morning (but your body still needs some UV rays to get enough vitamin D!), going out in the morning sun can be far more beneficial than going for a lunchtime walk without sunscreen.

Studies showing that morning sunlight is good for you abound as people become more and more interested in natural ways of healing. If you’re looking for an easy and free way to stimulate energy production, sleep better at night, and heal a variety of ailments from excess weight to open wounds, taking your morning beverage on the porch or grabbing an early outdoor workout are some of the best ways to heal your body. If your porch or deck is large enough to fit your yoga mat, consider taking one of our morning yoga classes outside!

 

Does your morning ritual involve catching some rays? Let us know in the comments!