In today’s fast-paced world, quality sleep is often sacrificed due to busy schedules and constant screen time. But researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University may have discovered a simple and natural way to feel more awake in the morning—using sunlight.
While most sleep studies rely on artificial light for testing, a team led by graduate student Xiaorui Wang and Professor Daisuke Matsushita wanted to see if natural light could work better in everyday settings. They believed real sunlight, rather than artificial alternatives, might help people feel more refreshed when waking up.
To test their theory, they designed an experiment involving 19 participants. Each person experienced three different wake-up conditions:
In one (IA), natural light was let into the room 20 minutes before waking.
In another (IB), natural light was allowed in gradually from dawn until the participant woke up.
In the final condition (CC), the room stayed completely dark before wake-up.
The team used tools like electrocardiograms and brainwave monitoring, along with surveys, to track how sleepy or alert each person felt after waking.
The results were clear: participants exposed to natural light before waking—especially those in the IA group—felt less sleepy and more alert compared to those who woke up in darkness. Interestingly, too much light (as in the IB group) had some unwanted effects, making IA the most balanced and effective option.
This study suggests that letting in moderate amounts of natural light before getting out of bed might be a simple, non-invasive way to improve morning energy—bringing new meaning to the phrase “wake up with the sun.”
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