Summer Sunrise
Getting up early has always been easier for me in the summer. I imagined it had something to do with the sunlight since here in the northern hemisphere the sun appears high in the sky and creates long days. As the seasons change I can feel an energetic difference in the qualities of the environment. Summer feels lighter and brighter. The same buzz of energy that helps the plants grow and produce fruit resonates within me. I feel more energetic, and there is a sense of ease in many of my tasks. This is in contrast to the heavier, slower feelings I associate with winter.
I love the feeling of warm sun on my skin, and being a fair-skinned blonde, I have to be careful about my sun exposure lest my skin burns to a red hue. At the NAMA Ayurveda conference this year, Dr. John Douillard, keynote speaker, shared research on the therapeutic benefits of red light, the type that is present during sunrise and sunset. I was excited to read up on what he shared in his talk and learn that the spectrum of light that hits the Earth changes throughout the day. It turns out that there are ways for me to safely enjoy basking in the sun; I have a new sense of purpose to my early morning walks with the dog!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dr. Douillard’s article that shares research on the effects of sunlight at dawn. Reading it affirmed some of the feelings I intuited about rising early and being outside in the peaceful light at sunrise. A few highlights from the article include learning that:
ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause damage, are blocked during sunrise and sunset
“infrared light exposure in the morning is designed to prep and protect your skin from damaging UV rays that peak around midday”
gazing at a calibrated red-light LED flashlight for just three minutes a week helped restore more youthful vision in research participants
I encourage you to read his article and adopt a ritual that allows you to get in tune with circadian rhythms and enjoy the sun safely. Read here.