Natural Light Becomes You
““You become what you do.””
Dear Life Practitioners,
Did you know 90% of your gene expression is determined by sunlight?
This statistic startled me into looking more closely at natural light in my life. According to Dr. Bertrand (founder of Biomancy University) who studies the biorhythms of the earth in relation to human health the best time to align your circadian rhythms is during the summer solstice and the fall equinox. These are the times where codified information in the form of light energy from the sun reaches the earth and carries with it information for sustained growth and regeneration. This ancient form of subtle body communication has been honoured throughout history. Evidence still remains at various sites around the world from Chaco Canyon in New Mexico to Newgrange in Ireland and Chitchen Itza in Mexico. Our ancestors built their temples with the intention and precision of harnessing this sacred light energy. From Dr. Bertrand's perspective (Harvard graduate) our relationship to organic light and dark even supersedes food and exercise in terms of health. Pardon?
Have you considered what your relationship to natural light is?
We Canadians think of light, along with the weather, often. In the northern hemisphere, where I am from, we have some of the longest and shortest days of the year in the world. January boasts days when the sun is up at 0830 and down at 4:00 pm! The cold and the dark are unforgettable. Especially for those people with a full-time indoor schedule, people begin to feel desperate for any glimpse of natural light. Even without the science, our innate biorhythms crave natural light.
As a yoga and meditation teacher, it surprised me to hear the power of organic light even when compared to movement and breath. But when I applied this concept to my own health, especially in relation to migraine, it became more evident. Without natural light I feel a deficit in my body, mind and soul. Something feels off. Similar to being underhydrated, lethargic or brain foggy. Yet we have created cultures inherently separated from nature and its natural light. This is not just the wild nature we think of with forests, deserts, oceans and sky. It is also the subtle body nature we carry at a soulful, cellular level. That soul-subtle body within us is the ancient energy of light, sound, air/space, water, fire and CHNOPS (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur) and it needs to be connected to and directed by natural light and organic elements.
Unless we are working outside, almost all the light we receive is artificial. Artificial light also affects our circadian rhythms but mostly in ways that are not aligned with our body’s needs, rhythms and cycles. This is part of why good sleep hygiene requires no screen time at least an hour before bed. The same retinal cells that activate to light send information to the brain but that decoded information is not the same as from natural light AND the body knows it. The research in this area is vast and points to everything from immune function dysregulation to hair loss. When we remember that every system within us is directed by our circadian rhythms this makes perfect sense.
Biological Effects of Natural Light:
🧭 Regulates Circadian Rhythm Natural light, especially blue light in the morning, helps set your body clock, telling you when to be alert or sleepy.
😴 Boosts Melatonin Cycle Exposure to bright light during the day suppresses melatonin (keeps you alert), and darkness at night triggers its release (helps you sleep).
😊 Increases Serotonin & Mood Morning light boosts serotonin, which improves mood and can help reduce symptoms of depression.
💪 Stimulates Vitamin D Production UVB rays from the sun allow your skin to make vitamin D — vital for bone, immune, and mental health.
🧠 Enhances Alertness & Cognition The changing intensity of daylight helps keep brain activity aligned with natural energy cycles.
I have found that my own soul health is directly proportional to the relationship between organic time and industrial time and this relates to natural light. Organic time is me relating to nature, plants, animals, to my own body, good company or to a material-based reality like a handheld book. Most of the time these are enjoyed with natural light, or much less artificial light. Industrial time is man-made and technologically based. It includes relating to phones, smart watches, computers and electrical devices. For many people, this statement challenges our cultural habits, values and lifestyle and it feels threatening. I get that. We are born and bred for productivity and this industrialized mentality is woven into our familial belief systems from a young age. It’s taught in our families, school systems, religious communities and part of our national identity. To suggest that we have adopted unsustainable and unhealthy industrialized systems through technology, especially when many of these devices are now considered an extension of our own nervous system, is taboo. But from the perspective of our soul’s subtle body it is necessary to understand and respect that both artificial and organic light relate to our nervous systems and affect our circadian rhythms. Differently.
I have reflected and meditated on the ancient Vedic proverb, "You become what you do," for decades. I have also watched and seen how the human psyche and the way we relate to each other and to the planet has changed as we “do” more technology and less nature. The proverb is speaking about the subtle body of the nervous system which relates to the Soul. The nervous system is our most powerful communicator. Taking in trillions of bits of information per second, it is the liaison between our outer and inner worlds. Whatever we taste, smell, hear, feel or see is communicated through our nervous system and in essence creates our reality. When we look at nerves under a microscope, we see that the ionic information they carry is different depending on what we are doing and how we feel about it. Whether we are watching a beautiful sunset, shoveling snow or checking e-mails, our nervous systems are always in relationship to light and dark.
As a long-term meditator, yogi, writer and person living with migraine, I care a lot about my nervous system. In almost 20 years of studying, practicing and teaching body-mind-soul connections my best advice to you when it comes to your health and wellness is to learn to listen and understand your nervous system. Then work with it respectfully. Insomnia, hormone disruption, immune function, ATP production, cellular repair, energy levels, mood, mental health and emotional regulation are all coordinated and communicated through your nervous system. Your nervous system is always in relation to light and dark. Then remember, we are human beings, not human doings. Artificial light and organic light send different messages to your body, mind, and soul. A healthy soul needs healthy bio-rhythms.
I can certainly see where I can do better… yikes!
🌞 1. Go Outside Within 30–60 Minutes of Waking
Why: Morning sunlight contains the ideal spectrum of blue light that resets your circadian clock.
How long: 5–10 minutes on sunny days, 20–30 minutes if it’s overcast.
Bonus: No sunglasses unless medically necessary (they block beneficial wavelengths).
🚶♀️ 2. Take a Morning Walk or Coffee Break Outdoors
Step outside with your morning coffee or tea — no need for a big routine.
Walk your dog, stand on your porch, or walk around the block.
🪟 3. Sit Near a Window (With Caution)
Natural light through a window is better than artificial light, but glass blocks UV and weakens intensity.
Sit as close to the window as possible, ideally facing or perpendicular to the light.
🏡 4. Open Curtains/Blinds Fully
Let light flood your living or working space first thing in the morning.
Reflective or white surfaces indoors help amplify available light.
🪟 5. Use a Glass Door, Skylight, or Sunroom
Architectural choices that maximize natural light exposure indoors.
Ideal for long winters or places where stepping outside isn’t always possible.
🌿 6. Practice Outdoor Habits
Meditate, journal, or stretch outside in the morning light.
Even indirect daylight under tree cover or clouds is beneficial.
💡 7. Supplement with Light Therapy (When Needed)
If you're in a place with long dark winters, consider a 10,000 lux light box.
Use it within an hour of waking for 20–30 minutes while reading or working.
Look slightly near the light, not directly into it.
Your Next Step:
If connecting to your Soul’s subtle body resonates with you, know that you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. As a sacred seer specializing in soul alignment, I help people bridge the gap between their conditioned patterns and their soul’s deeper purpose. Through a blend of ancient subtle body-seeing, modern science-based practices and soul-centered wisdom, I guide clients to transform lifeless pain patterns so they can embrace their passion for the people and the planet they serve.
When you are ready to reconnect to the life fuel that is your soul’s source, I invite you to reach out and connect with me one-on-one through Soul Alignment. Together, we’ll realign you with the purposeful vitality and deep meaning of your own soul.
