The Sunset Is Free. The Benefits May Be Priceless.

I have a thing about sunsets. I love them. Wherever I travel, I find myself drawn to the evening sky, watching the light change, the shadows lengthen, and the colours shift from gold to orange, pink, purple and eventually darkness.

I've taken hundreds of photographs of sunsets over the years, and I never seem to tire of them. The three accompanying this post are among my favourites. Different places, different landscapes, different skies. Each one a reminder to stop for a few minutes and pay attention.

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And it turns out there may be some science behind my fascination.

A recent BBC Future article explores the benefits of watching sunsets. It draws attention to something researchers call awe, that wonderful feeling we experience when we encounter something vast, beautiful or extraordinary.

In a 2023 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, researchers Alexander Smalley and Mathew White showed more than 2,500 people images of natural and urban landscapes under different conditions. Sunrises and sunsets consistently increased people's perceptions of beauty and feelings of awe. That's interesting because other research suggests that experiences of awe can improve our mood, increase positive emotions and encourage greater connection with others.

Of course, looking at pictures of sunsets isn't quite the same as standing on a beach watching the sun sink below the horizon. And the research doesn't establish that a daily sunset will automatically make us healthier. But it offers another reason to make room for something I already enjoy.

So here's a little experiment you might like to try.

For the next seven days, find a few minutes around sunset. You don't need a beach, a mountain or a spectacular view. A balcony, a park or even a window will do.

Put your phone away for a moment. Watch the colours, notice the changing light and the shapes of the clouds. Listen to what's happening around you. Give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing for five minutes.

If you want to take a photograph, go ahead. I certainly do. But spend a little time enjoying the experience before reaching for your camera.

Afterwards, ask yourself a simple question: How do I feel now?

There's something rather appealing about the fact that one of nature's most spectacular performances happens every day, costs absolutely nothing, and requires very little effort on our part.

The sun will set whether we're watching or not and I think I'll keep watching.