Bernard O’Shea: I woke up early for seven days of sunrises. Am I a changed man?

Whether you choose a spot in your backyard, a nearby park, or a hilltop with a panoramic view, the key is finding a place to relax

"There's a sunrise and a sunset every day, and they're free. Don't miss so many of them." – Jo Walton. 

This quote perfectly captures the essence of something we often take for granted. In our busy lives, the sun's daily performance can be a simple yet profound reminder of nature's rhythm and the beauty of constancy, especially if you've broken the blind in your room and haven't gotten it fixed yet.

Last week, I found myself staring out the window at the blinding sun at 5:30 a.m., pondering the mysteries of life, my inability to stick to my New Year's resolutions of being "ripped" for the summer holidays, and, more importantly, staring at broken blackout window blind that I promised my wife I'd fix four days ago. That's when it hit me: I had inadvertently been a sunrise advocate for nearly a week!

Research has consistently reported that exposure to natural light can boost your mood and help regulate your sleep cycle. Our bodies are wired to respond to the natural light-dark cycle, and morning sunlight helps reset our internal clocks, promoting alertness and improving mood. Studies have shown that spending time in natural light can reduce symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). I found out last year that I, along with a large proportion of the Irish population, have a tendency to be affected by SAD.

Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a renowned psychiatrist and researcher, highlights the mental health advantages of natural light exposure, particularly in alleviating symptoms of SAD. Light therapy is a well-established treatment for SAD, and it's intriguing to discover that simply watching the sunrise or sunset can offer similar benefits. Sunlight exposure triggers the release of serotonin, known as the 'happy hormone,' which enhances mood, promotes calmness, and improves focus. 

Serotonin is crucial for regulating mood, appetite, and sleep; higher levels of this hormone are linked to increased happiness and well-being.

A recent study from the University of Exeter highlights how phenomena like sunrises and sunsets can significantly impact our perception of landscapes. These fleeting moments can enhance feelings of beauty and awe, closely linked to improved mood, positive social behaviour, and overall well-being. The study found that participants valued landscapes more highly and were willing to pay a premium to experience them during sunrise or sunset compared to other times of the day. So, it got me thinking: If we are willing to pay for sunrises in far away destinations, why not experience it at home? After all, it's the same sun.

Here's how you can start your sun-watching routine: I used my smartwatch as it has a widget that tells me the sunrise times, but you can easily set your alarm a bit earlier. You can Google "sunrise and sunset" times wherever you live. Bring a blanket if it's chilly, and you plan on sitting outside. Don't forget your coffee – because even the sunrise can't replace caffeine. Whether you choose a spot in your backyard, a nearby park, or a hilltop with a panoramic view, the key is finding a place to relax. I'm very late to this sun-catching phenomenon as the internet is full of pros who bring chairs, small breakfast picnics and even incense. Basically, the goal is to create a comfortable experience. Most importantly, turn off your phone.

So, due to my inability to get the blind in our room fixed, I woke up for seven days of sunrises. Am I a changed man? Am I imbued with internal naturally-created potent serotonin? Have I radiated excess vitamin D? Unfortunately, no to all the above, but like a train stumbling into Limerick Junction, I have an announcement to make. "The conclusion to this article is now on platform one."

I noticed that the few minutes I spent watching the day dawn wasn't about a connection with nature but a disconnection with my phone. Every morning, when I wake up, the first thing I do is check my phone. I used to laugh at stories about my grandparents, who used to have a cigarette immediately when they woke up. Will my kids laugh at how I wake up and check my phone first thing? Yes, absolutely. The natural light woke me, and I got an incredible start to the day. The most eye-opening eureka moment wasn't how early I was rising but how my phone had become the only sun I now revolve around!