Mornings have been ineffably sweet lately. As we gain 5 minutes of daylight each day, we wake to softly increasing sunlight coming through the window at the foot of the bed. Particularly during the sunny weather recently, this expanding daylight awakens us gently and comfortably. Each subsequent day, it comes a little bit earlier.
Closer to the Summer Solstice, it will shine strongly in on us long before we’re ready to rise. We’ll likely hang heavy curtains to block it out until we’re awake. For now, though, we wake naturally at the right time of morning to suit our lifestyle.
I’ve spoken in the past about how natural light dominates our life (see Ebb and Flow). We belong to a tiny minority of Americans whose lifestyle involves very little man made light. Our circadian rhythms are much more closely aligned to the natural cycle of light and dark than most people’s. Studies indicate that this is much healthier than relying heavily on artificial light.
We appreciate our reliance on natural light throughout the year, but even more so at this season, when daylight increases after the Winter Solstice.
Sadly, this natural progression will derail soon. In fact, it happens tomorrow morning.
Today this is 7:45 a.m. Tomorrow it’ll be 8:45 a.m. That ain’t natural! (Photo: Mark A. Zeiger).
