Issue #21: How to get winter sun

Hey Radical Health Seekers 👋 

And welcome to a special morning edition of your Radical Health Newsletter.

We hope you’re reading this in real-time, 6am (ish)…

Because that means the sun is coming up soon and we can go outside and catch the sunrise together.

But if you’re reading this later in the day, no problemo…

Because the sun will be back again tomorrow 😀

Here’s what we’ve got for you this week:

• Why winter sun is precious
• Our winter sun protocol
• How to get winter sun (even if you work nightshifts)
• And how Bates does animal-based

But first…

“If you are not viewing the sun – even through cloud cover, for 2 to 10 minutes in the early part of the day when the sun is still low in the sky, and doing the same thing again in the evening, you are severely disrupting your sleep rhythms, your mood, your hormones, your metabolism.”

– Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., Huberman Lab Podcast Episode 24

Winter sun is precious

It’s easy to get sunlight in summer…

The sun is in the sky all day, and we’re outside enjoying the weather anyway.

But it’s not so easy to get sun in winter… 

Because the days are short, and the weather isn’t so balmy. 

Many of us drive to work in the dark…

Work all day in a building…

And then drive home again in the dark.

But the worst thing you can do during winter is hibernate like a bear…

Because regular sunlight – even during winter, is as essential for health as meat and organs are.

3 reasons to get winter sun

#1 Winter sun will improve your sleep

If you’re not getting sunlight every day, then chances are your sleep sucks…

Because we need sunlight to set our circadian clock.

This is a hardwired clock in our brains set to a 24 hour cycle that governs our sleep/wake cycles.

In particular, getting early morning sun biologically bookmarks the sleep/wake parts of the day, activating a cascade of hormonal processes…

And even if you wake up before sunrise (which is common in winter), still try get 20-30 minutes of sunlight through your eyes when it eventually comes up.

Sorry, but if it’s through a window or with sunglasses, it doesn’t count…

Because UVB rays can’t penetrate glass 😟

#2 Winter sun will improve your mood

There’s a reason the winter blues are 900% more common in Alaska than Florida…

It’s because those long dark Alaskan winters mean less sunlight. 

Which means less serotonin, less Vitamin D, and a messed up circadian rhythm.

But you don’t need to live in Alaska to suffer the effects.

Even down here in Texas, a lack of sunlight during winter can still put you in a funk.

And getting more winter sun could be the antidote, because it boosts serotonin (aka the “feel good” hormone), the same hormone that many antidepressants act upon.

Sunlight is nature’s anti-depressant!

#3 Winter sun will boost your energy

Unlike the false promises in your favorite caffeinated beverage, the sun can boost your energy in a natural, healthy way that won’t leave you fighting the jitters.

How so?

Remember the sleep/wake cycle we mentioned? Well, the wake part of the cycle determines how much energy you have throughout the day…

In particular, early morning sunlight suppresses your melatonin (the sleep hormone) and boosts serotonin, all of which are essential for alertness and energy during the daytime.

And sunlight also gives you Vitamin D and nitric oxide, both essential for energy too!

Ideal winter sun protocol

20-30 minutes during/shortly after sunrise

20-30 minutes during midday

20-30 minutes during/shortly before sunset

Practical tips to get more winter sun

Exercise outdoors

If you’re serious about radical health then you will already be regularly exercising…

So why not kill two birds with one stone and start exercising outdoors?

Most cities have an outdoor gym, and if you have a home gym, just bring it outside.

Other options include rucking, or sprints/walking in your nearest park.

Adapt your workday

If you’re one of the lucky people who can now work from home (at least in part), or work to a more flexible schedule, brilliant!

Because that means you can adapt your work day to get outside while the sun is out…

Perhaps work a little more in the evening to free up time during the day, or start later in the morning to catch the sunrise.

And if you don’t currently have flexibility with your job, but you think it’s an option, then we encourage you to ask your employer about it.

Your productivity will likely improve too!

What if you work in a factory/school/hospital or even on night shifts?

There’s a community of night shift workers on Reddit who talk about what it’s like to work all night and get no sun… it’s eye opening. 

Many of them have “night shift blues” and struggle with isolation and loneliness…

And cracking open beers at 9 am is a recurring theme.

Here’s what they say helped them conquer night shifts:

• Tanning booths
• Sun lamps
• Vitamin D supplements
• Walks in the sun before/after their shift

And if you have a job that requires you to be indoors during the day, for example in a hospital, school or factory…

Or if you work night shifts, we suggest you try these things too.

And while it’s not always possible or practical to change jobs…

If your job is hindering your health, it’s worth being on the look out for a new job that will support your health instead.

How Bates does animal-based

Bates is our Health Success Team Lead here at Heart & Soil, and this is how he does animal-based…

What’s your favorite animal-based meal?

My massive mid-day meal:

It’s the kind of meal that screams:

“I can’t believe I ate this much, but it’s worth imploding for!”

Here we have some raw oysters, ground beef with only salt added, freshly cut pineapple, clementines, and a papaya.

I demolished this in a few minutes and am currently having issues typing this due to the pool of drool on my phone.

Plenty of protein, carbs, zinc, electrolytes, and more…

And it’s not only damn SCRUMPTIOUS, it yields a heck of an efficient load of calories & nutrients!

What has been the biggest benefit since starting an animal-based diet?

Performance in all aspects!

In the gym, cognitive capacity, and even in terms of tolerance/patience and openmindedness to other perspectives/alternative ideas!

Although getting lean was nice too!

What Heart & Soil supplements do you take?

Many! My favorites are Whole Package, Immunomilk, and Skin, Hair & Nails.

#1 piece of advice for people starting out on their animal-based journey?

Be your own anecdotal experiment!

Although there are great general “guidelines”, you’ll never know what variation, foods, or regimen might work best for you until you try it!

That’s all from us this week folks 👋

Remember to catch the sunrise tomorrow!

The Heart & Soil Crew