Sunlight is one of our most important natural resources for boosting your energy. But, sadly, due to how our schools, stores, and office buildings are made, many of us hardly ever see the sunlight. That can interfere with your natural circadian rhythms. If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, getting really tired during the day, can’t get up in the morning, or are lacking energy, you may want to consider sunlight therapy.
It’s super-simple; get at least 45 minutes of sunlight each morning before 10 am. But there are many other factors that can help. Let’s look at a few.
* Stick to a Schedule – Get up and go to bed at the same time each day, shooting for eight hours of sleep each evening. Even if you go to a party Friday night, try to get up at the same time on Saturday morning or try not to make that a regular part of your week. Sticking as close to possible to the same schedule is going to help you feel more energetic every day, and will boost your circadian rhythms.
* Walk in the Morning – You need to get your steps in, and the best time to do that is in the morning. A quick, brisk 20-minute walk each morning when the sun comes up is going to do more for your ability to be energetic throughout the day than almost anything else you can do.
* Turn Off Technology in the Evening – As least one to two hours before you plan to go to bed to sleep, turn off your electronics. The light from the screens can mess up your circadian rhythm and prevent your brain from wanting to go to sleep for several hours after you lie down. If you get a jump on it and turn down the lights, you’ll go to sleep at a more regular time.
If you notice that it’s hard for you to get in that walk, you can also get a “happy light” (http://amzn.to/2Cc4K18). Set it on your desk for up to 45 minutes at least three or four times a week before 9 or 10 am, to trigger your mind to think it’s sunlight.
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