Why 5 Minutes in the Sun Makes Your Mood Better

“Not only does the sun create life, but it also nourishes life. It helps us thrive.

We were born under the sun; we grew up with food made by the sun and we ourselves cannot survive without sunlight. So why do we give it such less importance in our lives?”, asks Radhika Iyer, founder of Anahata Organics

Surya Namaskar is the first thing done in the morning in yoga as a salutation to the sun, showing respect to “the giver of life.” The sun is revered in Indian culture for its ability to provide energy and lift our spirits. Consider this: you’ve been in a dark room for two days, and on the third day, you open the window to let in some sunlight. What happens to your disposition? You most likely feel more awake, conscious, and energetic.

Sun exposure is crucial for our body to have a good regulatory system.

Our circadian rhythm, or the biological clock, determines our mental and physical health. The body’s clock responds to light as a signal to be awake and dark as a signal to fall asleep. When we are under the sun, the body starts working to provide the conscious mind with more energy to go through the day. This has an effect, as mentioned before, on health.  

Another crucial thing the sun provides us with is Vitamin D. Our body produces it naturally when exposed to the sun. Vitamin D is what enables the body to build and maintain healthy bones. The body can only absorb calcium when Vitamin D is present. It also facilitates the normal immune system and is linked to improved resistance to certain illnesses such as hypertension, heart stroke and IBS. It is also linked to lowering the effects of depression and helps regulate our mood.

You can take control of your health by doing something as simple as getting 5 minutes of sunlight right after you wake up. The sun is a life-giver, and once you realize how interconnected we are with the universe and with nature, you can open your eyes to a new, more vibrant life. (IANS)