The benefits of meditation and mindfulness practices during times of crisis such as COVID-19. Sun exposure to the eyes: Predicted UV protection effectiveness of various sunglasses. Protecting the melatonin rhythm through circadian healthy light exposure. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. There are no studies that have proven any health benefits to sun gazing. Some people believe that staring into the sun has potential health benefits, but this hasn’t proven to be a safe practice. It’s better to focus your gaze on other objects that aren’t as harmful to the eyes. Looking directly into the sun, even during non-peak hours like sunrise and sunset, can be permanently damaging to the eyes. Though there are benefits to being outside and getting safe sun exposure using a strong SPF sunscreen, there are no proven benefits to eye gazing. What are the benefits of looking at the sun? Most medical professionals don’t recommend looking into the sun for any reason and to wear protective sunglasses whenever you’re spending time outside. Ocular diseases, including cataracts, some types of eye cancer, and immediate retinal damage, are related to exposure to the sun’s radiation. The UV light from the sun is harmful to the eyes. It’s important to note that these studies all refer to sun exposure, not the practice of sun gazing itself.įrequently asked questions Is sun gazing good for your eyes? The mental health benefits of sun exposure include:Īn older 2011 study of 68 adults found that those who received the most sun exposure in the 30 days prior had the highest density of dopamine receptors in the reward regions of their brains.Ī 2019 review connected sun exposure with a decrease in seasonal affective disorder, or depression provoked by seasonal change.Ī 2021 study also found that people who enjoyed daily sunlight over a 30-day period experienced a decrease in depressive episodes. More research is needed to fully understand the relationship, but low vitamin D levels can be a cause for concern.Ī study from 2014 also found that exposure to sunlight could be an effective countermeasure for fatigue and drowsiness. Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining many functions of the body, including circadian rhythm and sleep duration. This means that a meditative practice outdoors could be beneficial even without gazing at the sun. However, limited and safe sun exposure without looking into the sun can be beneficial.Įvidence suggests that general sunlight exposure can:Īdditionally, a 2018 study found that just being outside has numerous health benefits, including perceived benefits for mental health. There’s no scientific research to suggest that sun gazing meditation offers any benefits. But gazing at the sun does not have to be a part of it to see these benefits. Ultimately, meditation could prove to have benefits for all kinds of conditions and situations and is considered safe for most healthy people. Sleep improvementsĪ 2019 review of studies suggested that those with sleep disturbance may benefit from mindfulness meditation, though more research is still needed to confirm the benefits. Numerous studies have shown that meditation can improve emotional processing.Ī 2019 study of brief mindfulness meditation showed improvements in certain elements of emotion processing such as intensity, emotional memory, and emotional attention bias. Including meditation practice alongside traditional treatments has potential as a low cost method of complementary support for those living with anxiety. Reviews of studies on meditation suggest it can help improve measures of anxiety, depression, and pain. Here are just a few: Stress, depression, and anxiety reduction There are many benefits to safe meditation in general.
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