Although sunrise and sunset happen every day, they often leave a lasting impression, almost marking the beginning and end of the day. Research suggests that spending time outdoors during the "golden hour" can improve mood, support memory, and even contribute to better sleep.
One writer recalls watching an unforgettable sunset in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with her parents and fiancé on the evening before their wedding. The area is well known for its stunning golden-hour scenery.
Because Cape Cod is surrounded by water, the moisture in the air scatters sunlight as the Sun approaches the horizon. This creates brilliant shades of orange, gold, and pink that seem to blend into the ocean.
On that particular evening, an approaching storm made the sky even more dramatic, producing vibrant colours that looked almost unreal. While the men took photographs, the writer and her mother quietly admired the view despite the chilly weather. As they headed back inside, she hugged her mother and felt that the stress and worries surrounding the wedding had disappeared with the setting Sun.
Experts say that breathtaking natural experiences, such as watching a sunset, can interrupt negative thought patterns by capturing our full attention and bringing our focus back to the present moment.The sense of relief that follows the end of a busy day certainly contributed to the feeling, but the sunset itself may have had an important effect as well. Increasing research suggests that both sunsets and sunrises can positively influence the brain and emotional wellbeing. They have been linked to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, while also enhancing memory, encouraging creativity, improving sleep quality, and even inspiring people to behave more kindly toward others.
The sunset awe effect
One of the key benefits of watching a sunset comes from the sense of awe it can evoke, which research suggests has a powerful effect on both mental and physical health.
Awe is described as the feeling we experience when we encounter something vast, meaningful, or difficult to fully grasp. This could be a remarkable work of art, an extraordinary human moment such as witnessing childbirth, or the beauty of the natural world. Such experiences can shift our perception of reality and often trigger physical reactions like goosebumps, tears, or chills. However, their influence goes far beyond these immediate responses.
According to Michelle Shiota, a professor of social psychology at Arizona State University who has extensively studied awe, one of its most consistent effects is the feeling of smallness it creates. In those moments, personal worries and everyday problems can seem less significant in the broader context of life. From a mental health perspective, this shift in perspective can be beneficial, as it helps people recognize that many sources of stress may not be as overwhelming or important as they initially feel.
Although awe can arise from many sources such as spirituality, moral acts, music, or visual art, research surveys suggest that nature is by far the most common trigger for this emotion. According to Michelle Shiota, when people in the United States are asked to recall moments of intense awe, they most frequently describe natural scenes, especially wide, panoramic landscapes.
Sunsets and sunrises are often cited as clear examples of this effect. A 2023 study involving more than 2,500 participants found that people consistently reported strong emotional responses when viewing images of natural environments, with sunsets ranking among the most powerful.
Jennifer Stellar, a psychology researcher at the University of Toronto who studies how positive emotions affect health and wellbeing, explains that sunsets are particularly effective at evoking awe because of their striking beauty. She notes that this type of beauty is immersive, expansive in scale, and unusual compared to the typical appearance of the sky, which makes it especially likely to capture attention and inspire a sense of wonder.
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