Corticopontine
JF-Expert Member
- Sep 20, 2019
- 664
- 1,272
While we think of the sun as yellow, the light it emits is full-spectrum light. It includes those same bright blue wavelengths of light your technical devices have, but in a much more powerful form. By exposing your eyes to this bright light early in the morning, you signal to your brain that it’s time to suppress melatonin production.
In response, your brain will increase cortisol production. Cortisol and melatonin operate indirectly to each other. Cortisol is popularly known your stress hormone. While too-high levels of cortisol can be dangerous, in healthy amounts cortisol is good for you. This activating hormone energizes your body and prepares you to meet the day.
Besides light, the sun also emits a lot of warmth. Morning sunlight can warm your body up, facilitating your natural thermoregulation process and aiding cortisol production.
Finally, sunlight affects yet another hormone related to sleep. Greater exposure to sunlight is associated with a release in serotonin. Serotonin plays an important role in melatonin production, as your pineal gland metabolizes serotonin into melatonin.
Serotonin is also known as the “happy” hormone for its ability to lift mood. In fact, sunlight has such an effect on your mood, that specialized light therapy lamps are used to treat people with seasonal depression and related sleep disorders. These lamps are designed to mimic natural sunlight, without the harmful UV rays.
Morning sunlight provides other health benefits besides sleep. Most popularly, it boosts your vitamin D production, which keeps your immune system healthy and happy. Healthy amounts of sunlight are also associated with stronger bones and cancer prevention
In response, your brain will increase cortisol production. Cortisol and melatonin operate indirectly to each other. Cortisol is popularly known your stress hormone. While too-high levels of cortisol can be dangerous, in healthy amounts cortisol is good for you. This activating hormone energizes your body and prepares you to meet the day.
Besides light, the sun also emits a lot of warmth. Morning sunlight can warm your body up, facilitating your natural thermoregulation process and aiding cortisol production.
Finally, sunlight affects yet another hormone related to sleep. Greater exposure to sunlight is associated with a release in serotonin. Serotonin plays an important role in melatonin production, as your pineal gland metabolizes serotonin into melatonin.
Serotonin is also known as the “happy” hormone for its ability to lift mood. In fact, sunlight has such an effect on your mood, that specialized light therapy lamps are used to treat people with seasonal depression and related sleep disorders. These lamps are designed to mimic natural sunlight, without the harmful UV rays.
Morning sunlight provides other health benefits besides sleep. Most popularly, it boosts your vitamin D production, which keeps your immune system healthy and happy. Healthy amounts of sunlight are also associated with stronger bones and cancer prevention
