Dear Friends,

In 2019, my daughter Elizabeth studied abroad in New Zealand 🇳🇿. One of my conditions for her going was that she go in our spring, which is autumn in New Zealand being that it is in the Southern Hemisphere. Why? Well, I wanted to go on a bucket list hunt for red stag. Why else?! 

Fun Fact: no mammals are native to New Zealand! The elk in NZ were originally given by Teddy Roosevelt. The red stag (red deer) were transplanted from Europe. With no predators on the island, the elk and stag in New Zealand can grow to enormous sizes — some of the largest in the world. Above is a picture of the red stag I shot with my bow. It was an incredible adventure.

But here is what I really found to be incredible. In North America and Europe, both elk and red stag grow out their horns to rut during our fall. By transplanting these animals to the Southern Hemisphere, they now grow their antlers to rut in their fall, which is our spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Just by the LIGHT being different!

Quite an astounding example of how many powerful forces impact our physical and emotional being on a daily basis. Let’s look at humans. We have a circadian rhythm, which is a daily internal clock that triggers certain biological processes. When the circadian rhythm is disrupted, it comes with dire consequences.

There is a reason they call 3rd shift the “graveyard shift.” The stress of this shift on the body’s daily internal clock can shorten one’s life, if it isn’t countered with healthy choices. So when talking about sleep hygiene, one of the most important things you can do is create a good bedtime routine. 

But the MOST important habit for improving sleep, in my opinion, is not a night time habit. It is getting morning sunlight in your eyes for 10 minutes.  

HUH?! Yes. Doing so sets your timer! Morning light triggers melatonin and adenosine to start accumulating over the course of the day, so that by the evening these compounds then trigger sleepiness. If you don’t start the clock, it will mess up your whole rhythm. Morning light, even on a cloudy day, is vital. Try a 10 minute walk; standing on your porch with a warm cup o’ tea while you let the dog out works, too. 3 things: 1) No sunglasses – this defeats the purpose, plus, you shouldn’t need them with morning light. 2) Step outside! Looking out a window will not have the same effect 3) I shouldn’t have to say this, but I will: do NOT stare directly into the sun!

This simple habit will help your whole sleep pattern improve! Daylight Savings was a couple of weeks ago now, but if you’re still feeling a little thrown off by the time change, morning sunlight can help your body acclimate to the time change as well!

Meatloaf once sang in “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights”: “Let me sleep on it / Baby, baby let me sleep on it/ Let me sleep on it/ And I’ll give you an answer in the morning.”

Reverse it – that morning light will LET you sleep on it!

Valerian Complex : an herbal formula that promotes sleep and relaxation.

Sincerely,

Mr. Bright Eyes