The Importance of Sunlight

Sunlight plays a crucial role in waking us up, yet I've made a significant error that has left me feeling fatigued for an entire year.

Photo by Bud Helisson on Unsplash

About a year ago, I cherished sunlight. Each morning, I would awaken to the warm glow of sunrise filtering through my windows, and I made it a point to step outside and soak it in for a few moments, regardless of the temperature. It felt as if I were a hybrid of a houseplant and a cat, absorbing energy from the sun.

This behavior aligns well with scientific findings. Research indicates that specific light wavelengths from the sun stimulate receptors in our eyes, sending signals to the brain that help us wake up. My morning ritual of standing outside was ideal for this purpose.

When blue light reaches our eyes in the morning, it activates a pathway distinct from the visual system, sending signals to the pineal gland that inhibit melatonin production—often referred to as the sleep hormone. Consequently, we feel more awake and alert.

However, over the past year, I began to feel increasingly lethargic and less invigorated in the mornings. The sunlight, which once revitalized me, no longer had the same effect. Though still warm and pleasant, it failed to energize me, leaving me to rely on my brain to signal when it was time to wake up.

As a result, I stopped my morning outdoor routine. I no longer went outside to enjoy the sun (except on snowy days, when I was determined to embrace it) and missed out on that refreshing jolt of sunlight to kickstart my day.

This routine persisted for the last year, and I adapted, though I sometimes reminisced about my previous ability to draw energy from sunlight.

That was until I tuned into a particular podcast episode a few days back.

Dr. Andrew Huberman's Huberman Lab podcast, Episode #57, focused on optimizing workspaces for productivity, creativity, and concentration, beginning with the topic of lighting.

He emphasized the importance of incorporating blue light into your workspace to stimulate the neurons that promote wakefulness. Overhead lighting was particularly effective since the relevant neurons are located in the lower half of the eye.

Dr. Huberman pointed out that while sunlight is optimal, it’s essential to keep windows open or be outdoors, as windows often reflect much of the blue light outside.

That's when it struck me: blue light was the missing piece. A year ago, I had acquired glasses that blocked this crucial blue light.

It felt like a revelation! I quickly grabbed my laptop and delved into research, confirming that blue-light glasses indeed prevent the alerting effects of blue light on our neurons.

It seems like such a simple oversight. While I was aware of the individual facts, I had failed to connect the dots.

Now, I have stopped using my blue light glasses in the mornings and have gradually resumed my routine of soaking in the sunlight! I still appreciate the benefits of blue-light glasses, especially for alleviating eye strain and migraines, but I can't help but feel frustrated for not realizing this sooner.