"If you had a rough night, you want to reset that clock," Dr. Dasgupta explained. "What does sunlight do? It suppresses the release of that hormone called melatonin." The sooner you get outside and exposed to some sunlight, the sooner you'll begin to feel energized and ready to start your day.
Now, if you're like me, and you live in a wintery hellscape (I say that lovingly), getting outside may not be an option. In that case, or if you find you need more than a quick stroll to avoid feeling sluggish throughout the day, "keep the lights on, blinds up, or curtains pulled to stimulate your senses," Benjamin Emanuel, DO, associate professor of neurology at USC's Keck School of Medicine, told POPSUGAR. "Your brain's circadian rhythm is closely tied to light, so providing as much light as possible during the daytime will help prevent the desire to nap."
If you still feel like you're not getting enough light, and especially if you're experiencing seasonal affective disorder, Dr. Dasgupta said you might consider light box therapy. A light box mimics natural sunlight and can act as a supplement for those living in darker climates.