The Connection Between Sunlight, Dopamine, and Habits
The less sunlight you get and the more time you spend indoors, exposing yourself to artificial light, can lead to increased consumption of drugs, alcohol, porn, processed foods/refined sugars, excessive social media and technology use, and more. Are you guilty of any of these? Would you like to reduce any of these habits? If so, read on.
Symptoms of a low dopamine state.
Credit: https://revivedetoxlosangeles.com
The less sun you get, the less dopamine you have, the easier you are to control.
An overall low dopamine state, coupled with artificial spikes, can also distort your perception of time, making it seem to pass more quickly. Have you noticed that as you get older, time goes faster? But have you also noticed that as you have gotten older, there are more dopamine-depleting things that are out to get you?
Ultimately, low dopamine is a state many find themselves trapped in, operating at only about 50% of their potential. I aim to help those who seek change to reach as close to 100% as possible.
The connection to sunlight
How does sunlight assist in breaking unhealthy habits? It's connected to dopamine and other brain chemicals. Certain phases of sunlight's intensity are crucial for our body's functions. Getting outside at sunrise, morning sun, midday sun, and evening sun is key, even if it’s just for a few minutes, it makes a huge difference.
Around 1-2 hours after sunrise, when the sun is about 10 degrees above the horizon, something very special occurs. Ultraviolet-A light begins to penetrate the Earth, this is the signal our body’s need for the release of hormones and neurochemicals like testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormone, serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and more. These all work synergistically when we expose ourselves to sunlight throughout the day.
Endorphins, another feel-good chemical, are released during exercise and under the stimulation of ultraviolet light. Additionally, our bodies produce natural cannabinoids, similar to those found in marijuana. Nature's message is clear: when we engage in activities like exercise, sex, or being in sunlight, we're rewarded with feel-good chemicals that reinforce these behaviours because they're beneficial for us.
Sunlight also helps us make vitamin D and other vital molecules that help rebuild, renovate, and enhance the dopamine system in our brains. Sunlight is the literal antidote to our modern world and the lifestyles that come with it.
Excessive exposure to artificial blue light and technology after sunset can deplete dopamine levels in our brains.
When your body is in balance through maximising the healthy habits and minimising the unhealthy ones, your level of consciousness is heightened and a new appreciation towards life gets unlocked.
Low dopamine levels can drive us to seek more stimulation artificially, leading to increased consumption of drugs and alcohol, excessive social media and technology use, video games, porn, processed foods, and more.
We are also not meant to be stimulated by dopamine this late at night as it can effect our sleep negatively. Getting really good sleep is the foundation to our health being optimal.
In essence, an imbalance between too much artificial dopamine-depleting activities and low sunlight exposure during the day can result in low dopamine levels, bringing us back to where we started, the cycle described in the second paragraph.
Understanding the mechanisms behind these unhealthy habits is crucial, but the good news is that they can be changed with effort.
Key takeaway
Maximise your time outdoors during the day without sunglasses or covering your skin.
Minimise artificial light exposure at night, you can use blue light blocking glasses, screen filters on your devices, and use dim, red lights.
Adopt healthier habits, and take control of your current unhealthy ones. Saying no to these unhealthy habits will only make you stronger. Yes, there may be discomfort, but embrace it because natural pleasure is just around the corner if you keep it up.
Baby steps, these things can take time and it’s important to be kind to yourself during the process, acknowledging all the little wins on your journey.
I work with a lot of clients who are trying to remove unhealthy habits, whilst incorporating new healthy ones so they can optimise their health, if this interests you then please feel free to book a discovery call or reach out for a chat.
