Lately, there seems to be a lot of buzz around the term “sun gazing,” however it’s actually not a new practice and its roots can be traced back to ancient times. If you’ve been thinking about adding it to your own routine, or at least trying it to see what the hype is all about, you’ll want to ensure you take the proper precautions. Here we take a look at what sun gazing is, how it may benefit you, and how it can be done safely.
So what is sun gazing exactly?
Sun gazing is a form of meditative practice that involves gazing at the sun during non-peak hours: sunrise and sunset. Sun worship, also known, as solar monotheism, can be traced back to ancient cultures where the sun and its energy were worshipped.
Now if you’re wondering if staring at the sun could cause serious harm to your eyes, you would be right. So, while there are mixed reviews about how to sun gaze safely, it should be noted that medical professionals advise against staring directly at the sun at any time since it can permanently damage your eyes.
So why is sun gazing having a moment? For people looking for natural ways to care for their minds and body, sun gazing is often practiced to connect with the sun’s energy while harnessing the benefits of meditation.
Benefits of Sun Gazing
The benefits of getting exposure to the sun through safe measures can include better sleep and better mental health (thanks to the increased dopamine and serotonin). Plus, an increase in vitamin D and bone health.
Sun Gazing Safely
Thinking about trying sun gazing? Medical professionals advise you should never look directly at the sun at any time since it can cause permanent damage to the retina, loss of vision, cataracts, eye cancers, and more. Furthermore, to protect your eyes against sun damage, make sure you wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV or UV400 protection, or block both UV-A and UV-B rays.
So how can you try it? Instead of looking at the sun, try looking at objects that do not give off harmful UV rays so you can get the benefits of meditation and being in the sun without damaging your eyes. Just remember to take standard precautions when being in the sun by wearing an SPF, sunglasses, and a hat.
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