Dr. David Orman

Sunlight is one of the most powerful and underappreciated medicines in existence. When natural light enters the eyes—without the interference of glass or sunglasses—it signals the brain to awaken, energize, and synchronize with the rhythm of the Earth. The light activates specialized cells in the retina that communicate directly with the hypothalamus, the body’s internal clock. This gentle cascade sets in motion the release of serotonin, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter that governs mood, focus, and emotional balance.

As the day transitions into evening, the absence of sunlight triggers another crucial process—the production of melatonin. This natural hormone invites rest, slows the heartbeat, and prepares the body for deep, restorative sleep. By exposing oneself to morning light for even ten to fifteen minutes daily, the body learns to distinguish between day and night more effectively, reducing insomnia, anxiety, and seasonal depression. In this simple act of welcoming the sun, the nervous system finds its rhythm once again.

In Taoist terms, light entering through the eyes nourishes the Shen, or spirit, seated in the heart. When the Shen is calm and luminous, the entire being moves in harmony with life. Modern science calls it circadian rhythm, while the ancients called it living in accordance with nature’s flow. Both speak the same truth: light heals. To look softly at the morning sun is to remember that the outer light awakens the inner one.