Often our days pass by surrounded by ultimate chaos and stress, but it all ends for an instant when you look outside to see your sky in a beautiful pink orangish sunset. It forces you to stop for a second and enjoy the beauty of life thanks to nature. It’s no lie that watching a sunset can dramatically uplift your mood.
When you sit to watch a sunset, your body absorbs vitamin D from the sunlight, which triggers the production of serotonin. Serotonin is your happy hormone and it can instantly improve your emotional state.
“One of my favorite things to do with my friends is to go to the beach and watch the sunset,” said junior Paloma Rosania
They can serve as a symbol of hope and optimism. When you are struggling, you often feel like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. But when you sit and watch the sunset you realize that just like a new day, there are also new beginnings to look forward to.
They also offer us an escape from a media-consumed society. It seems like everywhere you go there is the use of technology, from our phones, computers, and electronic boards. You can find an escape from all this technology by reconnecting with nature’s best aspect, a sunset.
“I used to get so distracted on my phone that I would forget to do homework, but recently I’ve started watching the sunset while doing my homework and it’s helped me,” said junior Stephanie Perera.
Not only does it improve your mood, but it also reduces your stress levels. As you watch the sun slowly set, you are able to pause your fast-paced life. This helps you slow down, relax, and enjoy the beauty of nature, leading to reduced stress levels.
Sophomore Amelie Terry added, “One of my favorite things to do after a busy and long day is to watch the sunset at my local park.”
Fortunately at ILS, everyone has the opportunity to see the opposite, a sunrise, which has equally beneficial effects. Next time you wake up extra early, make your way to the Bay parking lot to enjoy ILS’s very own special sunrise.
