We rarely question the first thing that happens to us each day — how we wake up. It seems small, almost irrelevant, but it holds incredible significance as it sets the tone of our day. Anadi Sharma, yoga trainer and alternative healing expert, said that most people don’t realise that the sound they wake up to is the first message their nervous system receives. And when it’s an alarm—loud, abrupt, artificial—that message is: panic now.
“Every morning, the body gets trained to jolt, not rise. To brace, not breathe. We overlook this because it’s a common occurrence. But just because it’s normalized doesn’t mean it’s natural,” Sharma added. As such, according to her, switching out your regular alarm with natural sunlight is the best way to start the day.
What happens to the body if you wake up with sunlight?
Waking up with sunlight is physiological. Your body is wired to respond to the soft build-up of light,” she said, highlighting how doing so resets your cortisol, supports digestion, balances mood, and even restores your sense of timing.
When you replace that with a machine, you don’t just lose a better morning—you lose your rhythm. “And once your rhythm is off, everything else has to compensate: energy, focus, even the way you relate to others. We think we’re just pressing snooze, but we’re actually numbing a far deeper signal—our alignment,” she continued.
Waking with sunlight is physiological. (Source: Freepik)
And if you use an alarm..?
Dr Sudhir Kumar, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, told Indianexpress.com that waking up to an alarm can result in a 74 percent increase in blood pressure (BP), compared to those who wake up naturally without an alarm, according to a study published in the UVA School of Nursing.
He added that the increase in blood pressure is greater among those who have slept for less than 7 hours before waking up. “This surge in BP can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke,” said Dr Kumar, mentioning that the risk is significantly higher in people who have pre-existing heart and cardiovascular issues.
Over time, waking up at the same time every day can help establish a consistent sleep-wake routine, which may further train your body to wake up even without needing a wake-up call or alarm. “Your body may eventually adapt to this daily routine of yours, making you feel energised and refreshed to start your day,” he added.
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DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
