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Can You Live On Just Light?

I read recently about a woman, Naveena Shine, 65, from Seattle, who was planning to go for six months without eating, existing solely on “nutrition” from the sun; Sungazing. She installed video cameras in her house, with live streaming, to prove that she wasn't cheating. After losing a lot of weight, she stopped after 47 days, as she feared she was encouraging others to copy her – without having the resources in place to do so safely.

Looking into sungazing and breatharianism, there are a lot of people around the World, who genuinely believe it is possible to live – and nourish your body – without eating.

What is Sungazing?

The idea behind sungazing is to gain increased energy, more awareness, and clearer thinking. It is a practice where you take a few minutes out of your day and focus on the rising or setting sun. As the sun is so crucial for our circadian rhythms – which are crucial for so many functions, this seems quite in line with a Paleo lifestyle. Who wouldn't benefit from getting away from artificial lighting and getting some natural sunlight. Sungazing actually involves doing just that – gazing directly at the sun – which is why it is so controversial. A lot of people, understandably, say this can cause serious long term damage to your eyes. Sungazers start off slowly focusing on the sun for a few seconds at sunrise and sunset initially (rather than when the sun is at it’s strongest at midday). Gradually they increase this time, until after a few months they are focusing on the sun for several minutes at a time.

Whilst focusing on the sun, sungazers practice meditation.

Looking directly into the sun does not seem like a remotely good idea – but being in the sun – and connecting with the Earth at sunrise and sunset must be a good thing. Not only does being in the sun give a Vitamin D boost (and at a far safer time of day, as the sun is not so strong), it is a great way to reset your body clock. I’d also speculate this would significantly help transform sleep patterns.

As for the not eating part, I can’t see any benefit in that. Whilst an occasional intermittent fast seems to be beneficial – going without food for long periods of time, can’t be a good thing.

The Rise of Alternative Nourishment Practices

While breatharianism and sungazing remain fringe practices, their popularity highlights a growing interest in reconnecting with nature, simplicity, and the body’s innate intelligence. There’s a longing among many people to move away from processed food, overstimulation, and dependency on pharmaceutical solutions. However, embracing natural health practices needs to be grounded in science and common sense – not just belief systems.

Human biology is complex and nutrient-dependent. Our bodies require specific amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to function optimally. These cannot be absorbed from sunlight alone. While sunlight plays an important role in circadian health, hormone regulation, and vitamin D synthesis, it does not replace the role of food in providing macronutrients and micronutrients essential for survival.

The Power of Light – Without the Extremes

That said, there’s no denying that our modern lifestyles have taken us out of sync with the sun. We wake up to alarm clocks, live under fluorescent lights, stare at blue-lit screens well into the evening, and rarely spend quality time outdoors. This disconnection from natural light cycles can disrupt circadian rhythms, suppress melatonin production, impair sleep quality, and negatively impact mental health.

So while sungazing in the literal sense may carry risks, particularly for eye health, embracing the sun in more balanced and grounded ways can support your wellbeing. Exposure to early morning light can help anchor your circadian rhythm, leading to better sleep, clearer thinking, and improved mood. Walking barefoot on grass at sunrise, stretching in a sunny spot, or doing breathwork outdoors are all simple ways to reconnect with the Earth’s natural rhythms.

Sunlight and the Paleo Connection

From a Paleo perspective, our ancestors spent the majority of their lives in the natural world. They rose with the sun, slept after dark, and relied on the light-dark cycle to regulate everything from cortisol levels to immune function. By replicating these natural cues in our daily lives, we can improve our overall metabolic health and reduce reliance on artificial interventions.

Sunlight exposure, especially in the morning, triggers a cascade of biological responses: increased serotonin, improved dopamine sensitivity, and regulation of key hormones that control hunger, energy, and sleep. These benefits are well documented and offer a strong argument for prioritising daily outdoor time – no need to stare directly at the sun to reap the rewards.

The Role of Grounding and Nature Immersion

Closely tied to the sungazing concept is the practice of grounding or earthing – walking barefoot on natural surfaces to connect with the Earth’s electrical field. Proponents claim this reduces inflammation, improves sleep, and balances the body’s electrical charge. While research in this area is still emerging, anecdotal evidence suggests that even brief periods of nature immersion can lower stress, reduce anxiety, and improve mood.

Whether you believe in the electrical theory behind grounding or not, the simple act of walking barefoot on the beach, in the park, or through a dewy field in the morning offers undeniable psychological and sensory benefits. It’s a mindful pause that helps you step out of your thoughts and into your body.

Understanding the Appeal of Breatharianism

It might be easy to dismiss breatharianism as fantasy, but its appeal often lies in its promise of spiritual purity, detachment from materialism, and an extreme sense of control over the body. For some, it represents an ideal of minimalism and freedom from the demands of consumer-driven living. However, it’s important to recognise that many of the people who attempt this lifestyle end up with serious health complications – and in some tragic cases, death.

There’s a profound difference between seeking simplicity and denying biology. While meditation, sunlight, breathwork, and presence can enhance wellbeing, they cannot replace food. The human body is resilient, but it is not designed to operate indefinitely without caloric input.

A Better Approach: Nourishing the Body and Spirit

If you’re inspired by the essence of sungazing – connecting with natural cycles, simplifying your lifestyle, and slowing down – you don’t need to forgo food to achieve that. Instead, consider integrating mindful eating practices, seasonal living, and nature connection into your daily routine:

Eat with the seasons: Choose locally grown, in-season produce to stay aligned with nature’s rhythms and maximise nutrient density.
Practise mindful meals: Turn off devices and be present with your food. Notice colours, textures, and flavours.
Wake with the sun: Open your curtains as soon as you wake and get outside within 30 minutes if possible. Let natural light hit your skin and eyes (without looking directly into the sun).
Sleep with the moon: Avoid screens in the hour before bed. Dim your lights and embrace the darkness to encourage melatonin production.
Take breaks outdoors: Even a 10-minute sun break at lunchtime can lift your energy and restore focus.

The Importance of Community and Discernment

As the natural health world continues to grow, it's important to remain open but discerning. Not all ideas promoted under the wellness umbrella are safe or evidence-based. Sharing ideas with a thoughtful community can help you filter the useful from the dangerous — and prevent you from going too far down a rabbit hole without balance.

Curiosity is essential, but so is critical thinking. When something sounds too good to be true – such as living indefinitely without eating – it usually is. A grounded Paleo approach celebrates nature, simplicity, and ancestral wisdom, but never at the expense of the body’s basic needs for fuel, rest, and nourishment.

Final Thoughts

There’s no denying the power of the sun and the benefits of reconnecting with our natural environment. But light alone cannot sustain life. By embracing what sungazing symbolises – slowing down, tuning into natural rhythms, and valuing non-material nourishment – we can enhance our health and sense of wellbeing, without turning away from the fundamentals of biology.

It’s not about choosing between food and light. It’s about realising that true vitality comes from harmonising both – and honouring the incredible design of the human body in its full complexity.

I’d love to hear what you think about Sungazing. Completely ridiculous, or is there an element of truth in it? Leave your comments, below.

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Why Meditation Might Be the Best Thing You Do Today

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Have you ever tried meditating? Perhaps you’ve dismissed it as being a bit too hippy and new age? Or wouldn’t know where to start?

Well I’m here to convince you why you should give it a go!

What is meditation?

I really like this description by Jon Kabat-Zinn:

[meditation is] paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally, to the unfolding of experience moment to moment

Why should you do it?

Meditation has been shown to physically change your brain, just 27 minutes a day has been shown to increase grey matter after just six weeks.
Meditation reduces inflammation
Immune function is increased with regular practice
Pain decreases
It increases happiness whilst lowering depression, stress and anxiety
It enhances compassion and emotional intelligence
It allows you to control your emotions far better
Your focus and attention span will increase with Meditation practice
Your memory will also improve
If you have any type of sleep issues, there is a lot of evidence suggesting a mediation practice could make a substantial difference

But how?

It’s definitely not easy, but you can start right now. The more time you spend practicing, the better you’ll get at it, and the more you’ll benefit. You don’t need anything to start, nor do you have to sit in a funny position or chant or spend the whole day doing it. Even if you only have ten minute spare, that will be a perfect place to start.
There is an old Zen saying:

“You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day, unless you are too busy, then you should sit for an hour.”

I find the best way to start is to sit somewhere quiet, where you won’t be interrupted. You want it to be light and airy – the aim here is not to fall asleep. I repeat: You do not want to fall asleep! Sit comfortable and focus on your breath. As you breathe in, notice the sensation of the air entering your nose. Notice the breath as you pause before you exhale. As you exhale, again, notice the sensation of the warm air leaving your body.

Thoughts will keep entering your mind, but the trick is to not chase these thoughts. Let them enter your mind and let them exit, without taking part. I like to think of it like a blue sky with lots of balloons. As a balloon (a thought) comes into your vision (awareness), instead of taking hold of the string, just watch it float away. If a thought pops in your head about what you’re going to make for dinner tonight, don’t engage with it and start thinking about what ingredients you have in the fridge. Just acknowledge the thought as if you’re just an observer

You know sometimes when your phone or computer start acting up and you have to restart? This is how I think of meditation. It’s giving your brain a break from the constant chasing of thoughts. But it’s also very different to sleep. When did you last give your mind a break?

If you’re new to meditation, it’s so much easier to get started with guided meditations instead of trying on your own for the first time. I go to classes, but there are so many great mp3’s and free youtube meditations that will help.

I’d love to hear your meditation experiences and tips.

How Meditation Fits into a Paleo Lifestyle

You might be wondering why meditation is being discussed on a Paleo blog. But when you think about it, the Paleo lifestyle isn’t just about what you eat – it’s about how you live. Stress, chronic overwhelm, and modern distractions are not part of our evolutionary design. Our ancestors weren’t glued to screens, juggling 20 tabs in their brain at once. Meditation is a simple, ancestral way to restore calm and clarity – something we desperately need in the modern world.

Regular meditation can help regulate cortisol levels, improve sleep, and support better decision-making – all things that support your Paleo goals. When you're calm and focused, you're more likely to eat intentionally, sleep well, and move your body with purpose. These are foundational habits, and meditation helps reinforce them.

If you’re curious about how to get started, try short guided sessions through apps like Insight Timer or Calm. Or keep it old-school: sit, breathe, and observe your thoughts. It’s all part of tuning in, not checking out.

🧘‍♀️ What does meditation look like for you? Share your experiences in the comments – I’d love to hear how it’s helped (or challenged!) you.

Creating a Consistent Meditation Habit

One of the most common hurdles with meditation is consistency. We know it helps. We know it feels good. But somehow, life gets in the way. The good news is that building a meditation habit doesn’t require discipline so much as it requires structure. Just as you might meal prep on a Sunday or schedule your workouts, the same principle applies to your mindfulness practice.

Try attaching meditation to an existing habit. For example, sit for five minutes before your morning coffee, or wind down with ten minutes before bed. You can even create a ritual around it – light a candle, make a cup of herbal tea, or use a specific meditation cushion to anchor the habit. These simple cues signal to your brain that it's time to be present.

Remember, there’s no perfect way to meditate. You don’t need incense, Himalayan bells, or to silence every thought. Some days your mind will wander relentlessly. Other days, you might drop into stillness easily. The key is to keep showing up – without judgement.

Forms of Meditation You Can Explore

Just like there are different Paleo approaches depending on your lifestyle, there are many meditation styles – and you don’t have to stick to just one. Here are a few popular types to explore:

Mindfulness meditation: Focuses on observing thoughts and sensations without attachment. Great for beginners.
Body scan meditation: A gentle way to bring awareness to physical sensations, often used for relaxation or pain relief.
Loving-kindness meditation (Metta): Cultivates compassion towards yourself and others by silently repeating positive phrases.
Breath awareness: Involves concentrating on the rhythm of your breath. Especially useful during stressful moments.
Walking meditation: Combines movement with mindfulness and is a great alternative if sitting still feels difficult.

There’s no need to force yourself into a style that doesn’t suit you. Play with different approaches and see what resonates. What matters most is how you feel after – calmer, more grounded, and more aware.

Using Meditation to Break the Stress-Eating Cycle

Have you ever noticed how quickly we reach for snacks when we’re overwhelmed? Stress eating isn’t about hunger – it’s a coping mechanism. Meditation helps create a crucial pause between the feeling and the impulse. That pause is where you can make a different choice.

By building awareness through meditation, you become more attuned to your emotions and physical sensations. You might notice the tightness in your chest before the biscuit in your hand. Or realise that what you really need is to take a break, not eat. Meditation strengthens this self-awareness muscle and helps you respond rather than react.

This awareness doesn’t just apply to food. It helps with sleep, movement, relationships, and how you handle life’s curveballs. The more you meditate, the more you build that internal resilience – something that’s arguably just as valuable as nutrition or fitness in a modern Paleo lifestyle.

Meditation and Your Nervous System

We often talk about diet and inflammation, but rarely do we talk about the nervous system in the context of healing. Yet it’s one of the most important pieces. Chronic stress keeps your sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) activated. This can suppress digestion, disrupt sleep, and even inhibit fat loss and muscle repair.

Meditation is one of the most effective tools for activating the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest). This not only supports gut health but creates a fertile environment for the body to heal, repair, and thrive. It’s not woo-woo – it’s physiology. When your body feels safe, it functions better.

Start Small, Stay Curious

If the idea of sitting in stillness feels daunting, start small. One minute. Two minutes. Just enough to tune in and notice what’s going on inside. Maybe your breath is shallow. Maybe your shoulders are tense. Maybe you haven’t exhaled fully all day. This simple act of noticing is the beginning of mindfulness.

You don’t need to clear your mind or become a monk. You just need to listen in. Over time, these small moments of presence add up – and ripple out into every part of your day.

You Already Have What You Need

The best part about meditation? It’s free, portable, and always available. You don’t need fancy tools or expensive apps (though they can help). All you need is your breath and a bit of time. Whether it’s a few deep breaths in traffic, a moment of stillness before lunch, or a wind-down ritual before sleep – you can begin right now.

So if you’ve been curious but hesitant, take this as your sign to give it a go. You might be surprised how just a few minutes a day can completely shift the way you feel, think, and move through the world.

🧘 Still unsure? Try it for a week – five minutes a day. Then notice the difference. Let me know how you go – I’d love to hear what shifts for you.