The Circadian Classroom

The Circadian Classroom

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The Circadian Classroom
The Circadian Classroom
Seek the Sun, Then Seek the Shade

Seek the Sun, Then Seek the Shade

Zaid K. Dahhaj's avatar
Zaid K. Dahhaj
Jun 15, 2025
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The Circadian Classroom
The Circadian Classroom
Seek the Sun, Then Seek the Shade
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a group of cheetah standing next to a tree
Photo by Ian Pearthree on Unsplash

No animal in nature lies under direct sunlight all day, most notably when the UV index is at its peak. You might think this goes against what I preach, but it’s actually an integral part of my sunbathing philosophy, contrary to social media influencers who provide little to no nuance.

This instinct is even stronger near the equator, where solar intensity is highest. Even the most sun adapted species, those with rich melanin reserves, oscillate between sunbathing and shade.

They don’t fear the sun, but they also don’t roast in it endlessly.

Animals intuitively regulate sun exposure, avoiding overstimulation, overheating, and damage from excess. This is circadian wisdom in action, which is why I’ve stated in the past that I trust wild animals in their natural habitat more than centralized dermatologists.

Humans, as a circadian creature, are no different.

We were never meant to live in fear of the sun, nor to bake in it without end. As with everything in …

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