"A living cell requires energy not only for all its functions but also for the maintenance of its structure. Without energy, life would be extinguished instantaneously, and the cellular fabric would collapse. The source of this energy is the sun’s radiation."
– Albert Szent-Györgyi, Chemist – Nobel Laureate
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology investigated daylight exposure and its relation with vitality in everyday settings on an hour-to-hour basis.
The method consisted of experience sampling combined with continuous daylight measurement and a sleep diary during three consecutive days. Data collection was distributed over a full year. Results revealed substantial inter- and intra-individual differences in hourly light exposure.
The amount of light experienced was significantly related to vitality, indicating that persons who were exposed to more light experienced more vitality, over and above the variance explained by personal characteristics, time of day, activity patterns, and sleep duration during the previous night.
This relationship was more pronounced in the morning, during the darker months of the year, and when participants had experienced relatively low vitality during the previous hour.
Overall, the results provide support for the acute effects of light exposure on feelings of vitality during the daytime, even in everyday life. While light exposure can never replace sleep, it may produce a similar energy-boosting effect much like drinking a cup of coffee.
