Research Links Sunsets to 5 Health Gains, Boosting Memory, Sleep and Altruism

2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 29

Studies reviewed in the report suggest watching sunsets and sunrises can ease anxiety and depression while improving memory, creativity, sleep quality and prosocial behavior.
A 2023 study of more than 2,500 participants found sunsets were especially effective at eliciting awe, an emotion researchers say interrupts negative thought loops and shifts attention outward.
Experiments also tied awe to sharper recall and lower stress: one film study found the awe group remembered a story most accurately, while an 8-week walking study showed older adults became more outward-focused.
In a study of 200 people, those reporting more joy and awe had the lowest inflammatory cytokine levels, a marker linked to lower risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and depression.
Light researchers say sunsets also help regulate the 24-hour circadian rhythm by lowering cortisol and supporting melatonin release, while a 2024 study found LED lighting that mimics sunrise and sunset hues improved rhythm alignment.