Shari B. Kaplan, LCSWIntegrative Mental Health

Why Morning Sunlight Matters for Your Mental Health #mentalhealthawareness

1 Jun 2026 · 1 min

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In this brief monologue, licensed clinical social worker Shari B. Kaplan emphasizes the mental‑health benefits of early‑day sunlight exposure. She explains that getting patients outdoors in the first morning sun—especially looking at the light—stimulates the pineal gland, boosting serotonin production during the day and melatonin production at night. Kaplan cites recent studies supporting these physiological effects and frames sunlight as a simple, natural intervention. She also uses a photosynthesis analogy, telling her children that humans need food, water, and sun, reinforcing the message that regular morning sun exposure is a practical step clinicians can recommend to improve mood and sleep regulation.

Chapters

We are a part of nature. Anytime that I can get my patients into nature and encourage them to get out in the first morning sun and get their eyes up in the sun and try to take some of that in. As we know, there are studies that have now been done about how that stimulates the pineal gland, more serotonin production and melatonin production for the evening. That sunlight is really important. A very simple step that we can be doing for any of our patients is get that morning sunlight. I used to tell my children that we photosynthesize. So we need food and water and get out there in the sun as much as we can.