Why are sunsets so attractive? This time of year I am constantly taking pictures of the sunsets behind our house. Our backyard faces west and I find it irresistible not to take a photo of a spectacular sunset. In fact, sunsets are the most photographed natural events in the world. Even during vacations, I’m always looking for memorable sunset photos. I have shot in many states including Alaska and Hawaii. I’ve also captured sunsets in the Caribbean, Scandinavia and Prince Edward Island. As I took another captivating sunset photo in the field behind the house this week, I wondered why sunsets are so fascinating.
When I did some research on sunsets, I found some interesting information. Wikipedia defines sunset as “the moment when the top of the solar disk has passed the horizon.” Some people feel that sunsets are expressions of a lost loved one, feelings of comfort, security and tranquility. For people grieving a lost person, these sunsets symbolize the end of one’s life and the beginning of a new journey. At the end of the day, sunsets occur, symbolizing a sense of completion and completion. Sunsets are called many things: ‘magical twilight’, ‘sky whispers’, ‘dreamy night’, ‘colours of the evening’, ‘reflection of the sunset’, ‘magical sunset’, ‘sunset glow’, ‘nature’s masterpiece’ .
Why are sunsets so beautiful, I wondered? The vibrant colors we see at sunrise and, even more vividly, at sunset are the result of a phenomenon called Raleigh scattering. During sunrise and sunset, light must travel through more atmospheric particles to reach us, and most shorter blue and green wavelengths scatter more easily. When the sun sets, light must travel through the thickest part of the atmosphere. This causes more scattering. As a result, longer wavelengths are reflected (red, orange and yellow), creating the beautiful colors we see in the sky. Therefore, sunset colors tend to be more brilliant than sunrise colors because the evening sky contains more particles than the morning sky.
For me, sunsets are also a bit spiritual. There are many scriptures about sunsets, and my favorite that I have found is Psalm 19:6: “He ascends from one end of the heavens and makes his circuit to the other; nothing is devoid of its warmth.” Every sunset seems like its own miracle. Perhaps God is telling us to rest, relax and enjoy the beauty as the worries of the day melt away.
I even found an online page advertising relaxing holidays and beautiful sunsets in Malaysia. The ad promoted the benefits of sunsets. These benefits include the following highlights:
• Stress Reduction: Watching the sunset can be a great stress reliever. Research shows that exposure to nature, especially natural light, can reduce stress and anxiety levels. Watching the sun slowly set over the horizon allows you to slow down, relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, which can help reduce your stress levels.
• Improved sleep quality: Watching the sunset can also help improve your sleep quality. Sunsets produce a red and orange light spectrum that can help regulate your circadian rhythm, also known as your body’s internal clock. This can lead to a more restful and refreshing night’s sleep.
• Boost your mood: Watching the sunset can also boost your mood. Watching the sunset can be a calming and awe-inspiring experience, helping you feel more relaxed, present and content. It’s also a great way to appreciate the beauty of nature, which can help improve your overall well-being.
In my research I learned that a lover of sunsets is called a “opacarophile.” ‘Opacare’ is Latin for twilight or sunset, and ‘phile’ is Greek for love. Who knew there was a name for my passion for sunsets? I also came across Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote: “Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.” I love the idea of a sunset that ends every day with a hint of an even better day tomorrow. My work addressing complex community needs can sometimes be tough. So I enjoy knowing that the colors of a beautiful sunset not only shine for my personal enjoyment, but that the bright colors also hold promise of a better next day for everyone.
Annually, United Way funds 27 local Monroe County agency programs. We also sponsor national 211 services and coordinate Project Disaster, four annual Health Check events and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). All money raised in Monroe County stays in Monroe County.
For more information about giving and united living, please contact us. Call us at 734-242-1331, email lpipis@unitedwaymlc.org, contact us or visit us at 216 N. Monroe St., Monroe, MI 48162, or visit our website at www .unitedwaymlc.org. Also visit our social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Laura Schultz Pipis is the Executive Director of the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: United Way: Science, Scripture, Philosophy Explain the Benefits of Sunsets
