Wake Up to Natural Light

Think back to when you woke up. Was it bright outside? Gloomy and gray? Was there any natural light coming into your room? The answer might just be an explanation of what kind of mood you are in today.

 

Studies show that waking up to natural light can boost your mood instantly. "Your body's internal clock is sensitive to light and darkness," says Natalie Dautovich, environmental scholar for the National Sleep Foundation (Huffington Post). That's why it often feels much easier to get yourself out of bed and ready for the day when your home is well-lit.

Dautovich also mentions that waking up without an alarm is the best way to get the full rest your body and mind need to be active and happy. "You'l feel most alert if you wake up without an electronic aid," says Dautovich.

Waking up to sunlight is a good way to ensure that you will have energy throughout the day. But that's not all. Because of the sleep/wake cycle, waking up to sunlight in the morning can also help you fall asleep and stay asleep at night.

Morning light tells your brain that it is daytime. If you wake up to sunlight, your brain will start to associate light with waking up. Your brain will remember that association the more you practice it. By programming your brain to recognize the signs of sleep and wake time, you can obtain a healthy sleeping pattern. Lying down when it is dark will remind your brain that light is associated with being awake and darkness means it is time to sleep.

Studies show that sunlight is much better for training your brain than artificial lighting. Although indoor lighting can help you with the quality of your sleep/wake cycle, the effects are minimal in comparison to natural light.

If you're thinking of trying to wake up to natural light but wondering how to let light into your home at the right time, allow MySmartBlinds.com to show you how to schedule your blinds for opening and closing, like your very own natural alarm clock.

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