Benefits of an early morning walk
Sunrise in the gully
Tom and I have started getting up earlier lately to go for an early morning walk. It is usually still dark when we venture out and slowly gets lighter as we walk along the road to the end of our little valley. We get to see some amazing early morning light, the sunrise and animals waking up. Besides all that beauty, fresh early morning air and enjoying each other’s company, research has shown that exposure to early morning light is beneficial to your health.
Catch the early morning light to balance your hormones
According to a number of sources early morning light helps hormone regulation which in turn helps improve symptoms of depression, quality of sleep, metabolism issues and various other symptoms which can affect your health (read this article for a more detailed explanation and references). After returning from Brazil I suffered from depression (which apparently is commonly caused by jet lag). My hormones are already mixed up due to normal ageing and past health issues, and I was recommended to go for early morning walks. Just getting 10 minutes of early morning light apparently helps regulate your hormones. I immediately started feeling better.
So besides the obvious benefits of exercise on the body, if you exercise first thing in the morning outside in natural light you will get added hormonal benefits as well. Your mood and appetite will improve, and you will feel more balanced. I would recommend this to everyone as a natural and easy way to stay healthy. And you can take some great photos at the same time!
Majestic tree in our gully in early morning light
©2016 Zaia; permeco.org, incorporating Permaculture Research Institute Sunshine Coast, simplicity, permaculture, self reliance, self sufficiency, sustainability, food, health and homesteading, benefits of an early morning walk
Author: Zaia Kendall
Zaia grew up in a family of musicians in Holland, and has a background in top sport (snow skiing) and web development and design. She co-founded the PRI Luganville and PRI Sunshine Coast Inc (now PermEco Inc.) with Tom, and runs the “invisible structures”, like finances, business administration, website design and maintenance, writes articles and records and edits videos. She assists Tom in running the Kendall Permaculture Farm and supervising other volunteers. She is an active member of several musical projects and bands, involved in community music and runs percussion and marimba workshops, is the percussion leader for the Woodford Folk Festival People’s Orchestra and composes as well as plays music. She is passionate about community music and loves seeing people discover that they can play!
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