What Happens to Your Brain When You Watch the Sunrise or Sunset? A Study Answers

SadaNews - For many, watching the sunrise or sunset may be just a fleeting romantic moment, or an opportunity to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, but in reality, the matter is more important than it seems.

Studies in environmental psychology have shown that transient natural phenomena, such as sunrises and sunsets, do not only have aesthetic effects, but are also associated with changes in mood, attention, and perception, which may reflect on mental and physical health. Recent research reveals that these quick daily moments, known as "ephemeral phenomena," not only influence how we perceive the natural scene, but may also alter our way of thinking, feelings, and outlook on the world around us.

Among the most important of this research is a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, which is considered a pivotal study in this field, as it attempted for the first time to measure the impact of sunrise and sunset, storms, rainbows, and the night sky on our perception and outlook on life.

When the Sky Changes Our Perception of the World

In this study, researchers used advanced computer graphics techniques to display natural scenes to more than 2,500 participants. The same scenes were compared under different conditions: clear blue sky, sunrise, sunset, thunderstorms, rainbows, and a starry night sky. The goal was to isolate the "weather phenomenon" effect itself from the place.

The results showed that the presence of sunrise or sunset within a scene makes people perceive it as clearly more beautiful, even if the place itself has not changed. This indicates that beauty is not just a fixed property of the environment, but is also shaped by its temporal moment and natural conditions. Researchers also noted a significant increase in feelings of awe when exposed to sunrise and sunset scenes, which are emotions associated with reorganizing attention and expanding perception.

Most importantly, these phenomena not only affected aesthetic sensations but extended their influence to the "perceived value" of the place, as participants were willing to pay a 10% premium to visit the same site when it appears at sunrise compared to a regular blue sky. This reveals that ephemeral phenomena are capable of adding real psychological and economic value to the natural scene.

Awe: How Does Sunset Reshape Our Thinking?

The study suggests that one of the key factors explaining the psychological impact of sunrises and sunsets is the feeling of awe, which arises when a person encounters a scene or phenomenon that appears vast or majestic, or exceeds their ability for complete understanding and comprehension. The effect of this feeling is not limited to enjoying the scene, but extends to influencing the way we think, our emotions, and our psychological responses.

Social psychology professor Michelle Shiota explains that this feeling is connected to what is known as "the small self," where a person feels they are a part of a larger world, making their personal concerns and problems seem smaller in comparison to the broader picture. This shift in perspective helps reduce excessive self-focus and minimizes rumination, which is one of the factors associated with anxiety and depression.

Experts indicate that the feeling of awe may help break negative thought spirals, reduce stress levels, and enhance positive emotions and social behaviors such as empathy, altruism, and volunteerism. Nature is one of the most common sources of evoking this feeling, particularly panoramic scenes such as sunrises and sunsets, which explains the profound psychological impact these moments have compared to usual daily scenes.

Psychological and Physical Benefits

Research indicates that nature is the primary source of feelings of awe in humans because it combines elements of vastness, unpredictability, and continuous change. Unlike artificial environments, nature gives us a sense of being a small part of a larger, more complex system.

Researcher Jennifer Stellar explains that sunsets are characterized by overwhelming beauty and a feeling of expansiveness, with horizons appearing open and light gradient in an unusual way, creating a different perceptual state that pulls a person out of the usual daily thought patterns.

The impact of awe extends not only to the psyche but also to the body. Studies have shown that people who experience positive feelings such as awe have lower levels of inflammatory cytokines, which are proteins associated with increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and depression.

This decrease is believed to occur due to two main factors: reducing psychological stress and enhancing the sense of connection with the environment, which positively reflects on the immune system and reduces chronic inflammation.

Improving Mood and the Role of the Sun in Brain Chemistry

Watching sunrises and sunsets directly affects brain chemistry, as exposure to sunlight, particularly in the morning, is associated with increased serotonin secretion, the neurotransmitter responsible for improving mood. Additionally, vitamin D produced from sun exposure plays an important role in supporting mental health.

Studies suggest that a lack of exposure to natural light may contribute to seasonal depression, while waking up early and exposing oneself to morning light can reduce the risk of depression by as much as 23%.

Regulating the Biological Clock and Improving Sleep

Sunrise and sunset serve as natural cues for regulating the body's daily rhythm. Exposure to morning light helps activate the body and regulate melatonin secretion later, while sunset light helps initiate gradual relaxation by reducing nervous system activity and increasing readiness for sleep.

Conversely, artificial light, particularly the blue light emitted by screens, disrupts these natural cues, leading to sleep disturbances and increased long-term stress.

Focus, Memory, and Expanding Perception

Scientific experiments have shown that exposure to awe can improve the ability to remember information. When the feeling of awe is stimulated, the brain becomes more focused on the present moment and less prone to distraction.

This explains why people remember details better after watching content that evokes awe compared to regular content. Since sunrises and sunsets significantly evoke feelings of awe, they place the brain in a state of deep attention that enhances memory and focus.

Source: Al Jazeera