Incorporating sunlight exposure and its timing is one of the best and easiest ways to immediately upgrade your health and well-being. As you may know, our bodies depend on sunlight exposure to regulate our circadian rhythm—the internal clock that regulates sleep quality, hormonal function, immune health, mood, and even gut health. Sunlight isn’t just for getting vitamin D. It actually tells our body when to turn on and off which bodily systems—from nervous system to organ function—all on a diurnal system.
Outside of earthing (direct skin contact with the earth that helps transfer negatively charged electrons to the body), sun exposure is an amazing way to connect with nature and its elements. Connecting with nature’s elements, particularly the sun, helps us connect to the spiritual LIGHT of consciousness, helps us to SEE more clearly and fills us with wisdom. When we spend daylight time outdoors either in stillness or in movement mediation, we are given the opportunity to honor the earth, our ancestors and the land we prosper on. I believe this connection enhances spiritual awareness and ultimately motivates us to act with more integrity.
As we enter into the fall season and darkness, some of you might be wondering how the season change for us in the northern hemisphere affects our circadian rhythm and connection to the sun. As the days become shorter, our bodies sense this signaling and become a bit sleepier, maybe a bit less active and maybe we feel a bit less joyful. This is all normal and to be expected because darkness is the signal for melatonin production in the body.
Here is a list of my suggestions for maintaining normal circadian rhythm functioning as we shift into shorter days:
- Learn to accept the ways of the earth and the sun. Lean into the feelings that this season brings up for you. How can you honor the encroaching darkness and make it your friend? What rituals can you implement to form a healthy relationship with this season?
- Continue with your regular sunlight exposure which might be maintaining getting outside at least 3x a day morning, noon, and evening, for 5-10 minutes each. No sunglasses/sunscreen and as much skin showing as possible if you can (our skin has photoreceptors too!
- Keep your eating times to daylight hours only. This supports healthy metabolism and healthy weight, and helps your gut microbes stay on their own natural circadian rhythm.
- Wear amber colored blueblockers (Swanwicks are my favorite) when the sun goes down or at least 2 hours before bedtime. Consider yellow tinted glasses for daytime use if you sit in front of a screen all day long.
- Fall is a great time for taking inventory of all that is no longer serving you and initiating the process of change. What are some habits that you need to let go of? What ideas or habits are you feeling resistant to?
- Learn about the patterns of the moon and spend some time moon gazing. Can you feel the magic of the earth and her connection to the planets in darkness? Cultivate this magic and don’t let go!