👇 If this isn’t you first thing in the morning, 7 days a week…👇:

I’m going to do everything in my power to change that with this newsletter.

You need, we all need, a better relationship with the sun.

It’s in our bones to crave our sun.

• Our sleep depends on the sun.

• Our energy levels depend on the sun.

• Our general well-being?

Needs that good ol’ sun.

It’s of us.

We’re of it.

I’m here to rewire that connection for you.

By this newsletter’s end, you’ll be a freak for daily sunlight exposure anew.

Humans Have Worshipped the Sun From the Beginning

Humanity's adoration for the sun extends back to some of our earliest civilizations and has been a fundamental aspect of religious expression for thousands of years:

1. In Ancient Egypt: The Egyptians venerated a pantheon of sun gods, among whom Ra was the most eminent, often revered as the universe's creator and the gods' ruler.

2. In Mesopotamia: The sun god Shamash was frequently depicted as a figure of justice in Mesopotamian lore because it was believed (like the sun) he could see everything that happened across the world each day.

3. In Ancient India: Surya, the Hindu sun deity, stands as a significant figure, and the tradition of sun worship continues in modern Hindu practices. In yoga, sun salutations are a physical and spiritual greeting of the sun each day.

4. In the Pre-Columbian Americas: The Aztecs worshipped Tōnatiuh as their sun god, whereas the Incas paid homage to Inti.

5. In Ancient Europe: Norse mythology envisioned the sun as a great wheel traversing the sky. Similarly, the Greeks and Romans had Helios and Sol, respectively, as their deities representing the sun.

The ritualistic worship of the sun often originated from its critical role in agriculture and natural cycles, underpinning the survival and flourishing of many societies.

In other words, we do not exist without the sun and we best not forget it.

Yet, in our modern times, we've drifted, perhaps unknowingly, from this luminescent God head.

We’re chronically indoors.

Chronically deficient in vitamin D.

Chronically afraid of getting a sunburn if we’re outside for too long.

We need to stop all that and return to our intrinsic, deeply-rooted love for that big ball of magnificent fire in our sky.

The Sun’s a Natural at Alchemy

It's not just a celestial body in the sky.

It's the source of all life.

It never takes a day off from influencing our physical and mental well-being.

The sun's rays, particularly in the morning, serve as a skeleton key unlocking sustainable good health, in ways we are only beginning to fully appreciate.

Regulator of Our Internal Clock

The sun is essential in regulating our circadian rhythms, the internal clock that dictates our sleep-wake cycles.

We are intrinsically wired to rise with the sun each day.

Direct exposure to morning sunlight helps “reset” this clock daily, leading to improved sleep quality and more consistent energy levels.

If you want a well-researched deep dive all about direct sun exposure’s effect on our circadian rhythm, there is only one YouTube video you need to watch and it’s this one.

Boosting Energy and Alertness

Sunlight triggers the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that boosts mood and helps us feel calm and focused.

This natural increase in serotonin not only elevates our mood but also enhances our alertness and energy levels throughout the day.

Vitamin D Synthesis

The sun is our primary natural source of Vitamin D; vital for bone health, immune function, and overall well-being.

Regular and direct sun exposure can help maintain adequate Vitamin D levels, which are difficult to obtain from diet alone.

Enhancing Mental Health

Exposure to sunlight has been linked to a reduction in symptoms of depression.

Which makes sense, given the fact that we weren’t born to live under fluorescent lights or sitting in windowless rooms.

We are made for foraging, hunting, exploring the land during the daylight, only to return for rest at night.

Not only does sunlight exposure significantly decrease depressive symptoms, but it’s particularly effective in treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Ask anyone native to or living in Washington state what the seasonal reduction in sunlight does to their mental health if not supplemented properly.

Balancing Hormones

Sunlight influences the production of melatonin, a hormone that plays a role in sleep and stress regulation.

Less sunlight = less melatonin. 

Less melatonin and it’s more difficult to us to fall into a healthy, effective slumber.

By aligning our exposure to natural light, we can help maintain a healthy balance of our body’s hormones.

Thus, we don’t need to take melatonin for sleep if our bodies are producing it naturally.

🤯

Simple Steps to Bask in the Glow

Basking in the sun is one of the most primal human desires.

We all know how it feels to be warmed by the sun.

I’ll bet that last sentence made you feel good just reading it.

I want you to feel that good as often as possible.

So let’s make it happen.

Above all else, you want to start small and be consistent.

You don’t want to make getting intentional sunlight exposure cause so much friction in your day that you end up not prioritizing it at all.

So here's some simple instructions to help you start small and gradually build a fulfilling sunlight routine:

Start With Awareness

Begin by recognizing the importance of sunlight in regulating your circadian rhythm. 

Understand that natural light is more than just the sky brightening; it's a cue for your body to start the day. 

They say “if you know the why, you can live any how.” 

They being German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, and if you know him, you know he’s not wrong very often.

When you know why you’re getting direct sunlight, you’ll make it a priority no matter the schedule, obstacles or circumstances.

Initiate with Brief Sessions

Week 1-2: Start with just 5-10 minutes.

1. First thing in the morning, stand or sit in a spot where you're directly in the sun's rays.

2. You want to remove any barriers between you and the sun for more benefit. 

3. This means, if possible, do not put a window pane or windshield between you and the sun and obviously don’t wear sunglasses. (More and more everyday, I’m becoming anti-sunglasses.)

Increase Session Length

Week 3-4: Gradually increase to 15-20 minutes.

1. Notice how your body feels during and after the exposure.

2. If you stay up on it daily, you’ll notice the benefits. In mood, sleep, and energy. I promise you that.

3. The earlier in the morning the better, but as early as you can without it being an annoyance or chore in your mind is of utmost importance.

Integrate Sunlight into Morning Activities

As you become more accustomed to consistent and direct sun exposure, combine it with your morning activities. 

This could be wearing tank tops and shorts while walking your dog instead of covering up.

This could be taking your yoga practice outside.

Or this could be parking your fanny on your porch and reading a book.

If you practice grounding or have a meditation ritual, try doing it in the morning sun, enhancing the connection between your body and the earth.

Adapt to Your Environment

1. Less Sunny Days: On cloudy days, the sun's rays still penetrate.

   1. Make it a point to spend time outside, even if the sun seems shy. 

   2. You’re getting benefits, even if they’re not as potent.

   3. In fact, consider spending more time outside than you normally would on cloudy days for proper exposure.

2. Winter Months: The sun is lower in the sky, so catch those rays when they’re available.

   1. In fact, we should prioritize morning light on these colder, cloudier days even more since it’s harder to come by.

   2. That said, it’s currently FREEZING and cloudy in Texas and I’m still getting outside to get all the exposure I can.

   3. Bundle up and look at the big expansive sky oh so intent-fully.

Remember, direct sun exposure is about forming a deeper connection with the natural world and with ourselves.

It's a free and direct path to wellness, one sunrise at a time.

Harmonizing Body, Mind, and Spirit

When we’re not living to the rhythm of the sun’s drum, we’re off beat.

If we’re not doing what we need to do to harmonize our mind, body and spirit, we’re totally out of tune.

The world is stuffed to the gills with people playing out of tune.

Out of tune with themselves.

Out of tune in their relationships.

Maybe most noticeably, out of tune with strangers.

This is what makes “other” people nuisances in our minds rather than the incredible souls that they really are.

We need to get back in tune in our own lives so we can better tune to others.

Tuning to others has ripple effects.

These ripple effects are greatly needed in today’s world, maybe more than ever.

So let's begin tuning by prioritizing direct sun exposure.

This simple act can serve as the launchpad to treating our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being in other areas.

A Source of Creativity and Productivity

Creativity flourishes when we are at one with nature and our bodily systems are in check.

Our thoughts and ideas seem to flow more freely.

Human creativity is wizard shit; a superpower in the grand scheme of things.

Human productivity is how we’ve made it this far as a species.

Productivity isn't just about doing more.

It's about being in a state where our actions are aligned with our inner rhythms.

The sun, in its consistent journey across the sky, models a pattern of regularity and balance that can inspire our daily routines.

It’s the cue.

Sun rising and traveling the sky = time to get things done.

Sun set, becoming night = time to rest and recharge.

When you are in flow with the sun’s schedule, life is just f&@king better.

Search for Meaning

In the stiller, simpler moments under the sun, we reflect deeper, life-pondering questions and connect with our sense of purpose.

I don’t need to emphasize the importance of feeling purpose to you; you know.

The sun’s journey from dawn to dusk mirrors our own quest for meaning.

It reminds us that each day brings a new opportunity for growth and understanding.

Questions for Self-Reflection

If this hit a nerve for you, I’d love if you’d grab your journal or open a Notes tab on your phone.

Explore these questions with me:

1. Whens the last time you spent a decent amount of time in direct sunlight? Do you remember how you felt afterwards?

2. How’s your sleep health? How’s your relationship to the sun? Are there any correlations? (…meaning, if you sleep poorly and don’t get a lot of sun, can you consider the possible correlation?)

3. How can you incorporate more natural sunlight into your daily routine to enhance your overall well-being?

Share Your Love for the Sun!

I’d also love if/when you pick up a daily direct sun exposure practice, you share it with others!

Personally, I like to snap a photo and share my time with the sun via my Instagram stories.

For the caption, I always pay homage to the sun and I’m incessant about expressing how good it makes me feel.

When you share the proof of anything good that you do with others (be it exercise, meditation, grounding, direct sun exposure, etc.) you might not realize it, but you’re motivating others to consider better habits for themselves.

You’re demonstrating what your priorities are.

People run your set of choices by their own set of priorities.

You’re making them think “why is my health not more of a priority like it is for [Insert Your Name]?”

And then maybe, that question motivates them to make a change.

These changes take them from out of tune to back in tune.

Humans back in tune live better lives, play better songs, and get other people to start dancing.

I hope you decide to get back in tune.

I hope you start with the sun.

I hope this is the beginning of a real good thing between you and the sun.

And I hope you tell about your love for the sun as stupidly often as possible.

Additional Resources

Business Insider Article- Andrew Huberman Swears By Morning Sunlight

Huberman Lab Podcast- How to Feel Energized & Sleep Better With One Morning Activity

YouTube: The History of Solar Worship with Jordan Maxwell