Sunlight for Your Mental Health

Just 10–15 minutes of natural light in the morning can significantly support your mental health. Here’s why it works — and how to make it part of your day.

Why Morning Sunlight Helps

Morning sunlight does more than just feel good — it actually supports your brain and body. Exposure to early daylight helps boost serotonin, which plays a role in mood regulation and emotional balance. It also helps your body produce melatonin later in the day, leading to deeper, more restful sleep, and keeps your circadian rhythm on track.

Regular morning light exposure has been linked to lower anxiety and depression, and it also supports vitamin D production, which your brain needs to function well. Even just 10–15 minutes can make a noticeable difference over time.

When + How to Get It Safely

Aim for 10–15 minutes before 10 AM. You don’t need direct sunlight — simply being outside in natural light helps SPF is still a good idea if you’ll be outside longer than 15–20 minutes.

Easy Ways to Get Morning Light

• Sip your morning coffee or tea

• Walk your dog

• Journal or read for 10 minutes

• Stretch or do gentle yoga

• Water your plants

• Stand barefoot on grass or concrete

• Listen to a short podcast

Try This:
We challenge you to try this for one week and notice how your mood, energy, and sleep feel. Your body — and your mind — will thank you.