Sunlight Exposure

Of all the tidbits I’ve come across on this journey, few things have captured my attention like a comment Dr. Andrew Huberman made regarding the impact of using the sunrise to set your Circadian Rhythm.

What is your Circadian Rhythm? This is my explanation, so it might not be technically perfect, but it is at least functional: the Circadian Rhythm is the 24-hour clock that exists in each cell of the body. Different cells - and different systems - have different functions within the 24-hour framework, and for the body to function optimally, all of those clocks have to be in rhythm.

And it only starts with the sunrise - the experts featured in these discussions will also speak to the impacts of getting enough natural light throughout the day, as well as how the sunset sends signals to the body to wind down.

Ready to learn more? Dive into a conversation featuring Dr. Andrew Huberman, Professor Satchin Panda, or Dr. Samar Hattar, and learn how a few minutes of well-timed light exposure can impact your health.

The first time I was introduced to Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and the host of the Huberman Labs podcast, it was in the context of the sunrise and sunset’s impacts on our Circadian Rhythm.

Huberman is now a go-to source on all things health, but this remains a favorite subject to listen to his perspective on. Check out Andrew Huberman on The Dhru Purohit Show #134: The Latest Science on Enhancing Focus and Developing a Growth Mindset, where you will get an introduction to Circadian Rhythms and how we can leverage this knowledge to better design our days.

Dr. Andrew Huberman

Satchin Panda’s name pops up quite a bit in Foundational Habits, and for good reason; Professor Panda is an expert in all things related to the “timing” of basic human tasks.

Light exposure, like sleeping and meal timing, fall under that purview. You can check him out on Dr. Gabrielle Lyon’s podcast on the episode How to Improve your Circadian Rhythm, and, if you didn’t check him out in the Sleep section, Feel Better Live More #306 is a great discussion to tie many of these concepts together.

Professor Satchin Panda