Energy & Stress Benefit from Finding God’s Natural Rhythms – Sunrise!

How we wake up plays into the stress and energy we experience through the day

Benefits of Morning Sunshine

In the morning, our bodies are designed to be exposed to natural light within an hour of waking. Sunshine in the morning allows our internal body clock to align with the natural circadian rhythms. As our body acknowledges the morning sunshine illuminating our photo-receptors, our bodies are better able to identify when it needs to get to sleep at night.  Historically, this was not an issue for our ancestors, with modern living a lot less time is spent being exposed to sunshine. Modern lighting is missing many electromagnetic frequency bands and does not illuminate as well as sunshine.

When we are in the sun, our bodies also naturally warm up & the photoreceptors in our eyes (even if they are closed), can sense and trigger a response to sunlight. Our brain lights up. It starts a hormone cascade. Melatonin, which is associated with sleep and low levels of alertness, declines. Serotonin, one of the feel good hormones, rises & causes the body to wake up, feel more energetic. Cortisol, one of the stress hormones, helps morning motivation and focus. There are psychiatric treatments that use natural light (or expensive simulation light boxes) because of how beneficial light can be on mood and ability to focus.

Sunshine to Help Morning Recovery from Sleep Aids & Reduce Reliance on Caffeine 

If you are using melatonin supplementation or some other kind of sleep aid to help fall asleep at night, natural light exposure can help. Managing light exposure in the morning and at night can stimulate the body to make melatonin. If you are someone that gets "melatonin" hang over from a sleep aid, sunshine is an antidote as it naturally brings down the amount of melatonin in the morning. (I'll talk more about evening light exposure in the next article. Restorative sleep is key to proper body function to be vibrant and energetic.) Some people find that light exposure helps them feel the need for less caffeine in the morning too. There is enough natural energy being created internally.

Other Benefits from Sunshine Exposure

When our skin is exposed to sunshine, our body naturally produces vitamin D, which supports immunity and bone building. It takes about 5 - 30 minutes of exposure for the body to start producing natural vitamin D.

Light has a lot of healing power and there are many more photoreceptors than what is in our eyes. God may have many other benefits going on while we are in sunlight that today's scientists don't fully understand yet.

A tip to recharge energy & unwind stress... Morning Sunshine

Is this for me?

Are you rushing and doing too much during all the waking moments? Do you check your messages as one of the first things you do in the day? Are you mentally starting to run through to do lists or worries as soon as your feet hit the floor? Does your body tense, your breathing get shallow and heart rate increase as you think through everything to be accomplished? Are you just exhausted about what you need to do and can't wait for the jolt of caffeine to to energize you?

Imagine for a moment how your day would go if you didn't feel that way as soon as you started your day. Is it worth it to change your morning routine to feel more energized and excited to meet the day & all that God plans for you?

Experiment for Yourself

For one week, find at least 5 minutes for yourself outside, quietly watching the sunrise, listening to the sounds of the world waking up and praising God for another beautiful day!

Maybe you can't meet the sunrise every day in an idyllic porch moment. But is there a different moment in your morning routine that you can allow yourself to enjoy the natural beauty, allow it to permeate your being and connect you with God?

• Instead of just letting the dog or cat out, can you step outside or walk with it for a moment?
• Can you take a driveway moment before you leave the house?
• Is there a chance to park farther out, near a greenspace as you arrive at work or your first appointment?

After the first couple of days, do you feel differently? Have you found more zest by taking a moment to Recharge and Unwind in the morning sun? Has rejoice in the Lord each morning enabled you to be more joyful, centered and present?

My hope for you...

I hope that these words (or what you experience through trying this tip to Recharge & Unwind) can serve to inspire and energize changes in lifestyle and food choices. You deserve to have flourishing health to be able to serve God, Family & Country.