Sip the Sun: Why Solarised Water Might Be the Glow-Up Your Routine Needs

Following on from my last post about the benefits of water, today I want to dive deeper, and discuss the benefits of solarised water.

You may already be aware that I am a full-on advocate of daylighting. Every morning, without fail, I go outside and soak up the morning’s first light. And I feel the benefits. So, it got me thinking about my water.

If our body’s get so much benefit from natural light wouldn’t our drinking water too? After all we are just “big bags of salty water.”

So, I tried it.

And I have to say, I’m impressed.

When I drink solarised water, I find it to be cleaner, lighter and more energising than standard filtered water. You can tell something special has taken place within the water’s structure.

Funnily enough, I first tried water solarising over 20 years ago, after studying colour therapy (see below). But for whatever reason I didn’t continue. I expect my younger self found the ritual to be too much of a faff.

So, What Is Solarised Water?

It’s exactly what it sounds like: water that’s been left out in the sun, or daylight, to absorb solar energy. Traditionally, this is done in coloured glass bottles (a form of colour therapy) to add another layer of healing intention. The practice comes from Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine.

Origins in Ayurveda

Ayurvedic texts dating back thousands of years emphasize the healing power of the sun (Surya) as a source of prana (life force).

Water exposed to sunlight was believed to absorb this energy, transforming it into “living water” that could balance the body’s doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). See this post on discovering your dosha type

This practice is part of Surya Chikitsa, or solar therapy, which includes sunbathing, sun salutations (Surya Namaskar), and consuming sun-charged water.

In modern times, it’s found a place in holistic health scenes, blending beautifully with chromotherapy and mindfulness practices (chromotherapy is based on the idea that each colour has a specific frequency and energy that can affect the body and mind in different ways.)

The Benefits

It has to be said that modern science hasn’t caught up with the following claims. But here’s what advocates of solarised water say it can do:

Energise the body: Many people report feeling refreshed and uplifted after drinking solarised water, especially when it’s charged in the morning sun.
Support digestion: Ayurvedic traditions often link Surya Jal with digestive fire (Agni), drinking it is believed to help with bloating and acidity.
Encourage detoxification: With its soothing, restorative energy, solarised water is thought to promote cellular health and flush out toxins.
Balance emotional energy: Depending on the colour of the glass bottle you use, it’s said to gently tune your emotional and mental state.

Bonus: There’s some scientific backing when it comes to sunlight’s ability to purify water. Solar disinfection (SODIS) is used in parts of the world where clean water access is limited, UV rays kill bacteria when water is exposed to sunlight for a few hours.

Chromotherapy Meets Hydration

One of the best parts? You can choose your bottle based on how you want to feel:

Bottle Colour	Effects
🔴 Red	Stimulates energy, circulation, and passion
🟠 Orange	Boosts creativity and enthusiasm
🟡 Yellow	Enhances focus, digestion, and optimism
🟢 Green	Balances emotions, promotes healing and harmony
🔵 Blue	Calms the mind, reduces stress and inflammation
🟣 Violet	Supports spiritual awareness and intuition

How to Make Solarised Water

Ready to brew your first batch of sunshine? Here’s your how-to:

Choose Your Bottle Use a clean glass bottle, coloured glass if wanting the colour benefits. Make sure it’s food-grade and non-toxic. Avoid plastic.
Fill It with Water Use clean, filtered, or spring water for best results.
Let It Sunbathe Place the bottle in direct sunlight for 1–4 hours. Morning sunlight is gentle and lovely, but any bright day works. Just don’t leave it out too long in extreme heat.
Store and Sip Drink the water the same day for maximum freshness. You can store it in a cool place or refrigerate it, depending on your preference.

Optional extra: whisper a positive intention or affirmation to your water before placing it in the sun. It’s a small moment of mindfulness that adds to the ritual.

Why You Should Soak Up the Sun Too

Solarised water isn’t the only thing that benefits from a little sunshine, you do too. Here’s why stepping into daylight is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind:

Benefits of Daylight Exposure

Regulates your circadian rhythm, helping you sleep better and feel more alert during the day.
Boosts mood by increasing serotonin levels, nature’s own antidepressant.
Supports vitamin D production, which is essential for bone health, immune function, and hormone balance.
Improves cognitive function, including memory, focus, and decision-making.
Strengthens immunity by energising T-cells and reducing inflammation.

Even 15–30 minutes of morning light can make a big difference. So, while your water’s soaking up rays, why not join it?

The Infrared Advantage

Sunlight doesn’t just give us visible light—it also delivers infrared light, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. This invisible light has some pretty amazing effects:

Boosts circulation and helps oxygenate tissues.
Reduces inflammation and supports muscle recovery.
Stimulates mitochondrial function, increasing cellular energy (ATP) and promoting healing.
Enhances skin health and may even support detoxification through gentle sweating.

This is the same principle behind infrared saunas and red-light therapy, but the sun gives it to you for free. Just remember to enjoy it responsibly and avoid overexposure.

Finally

There’s something lovely and grounding about solarised water. And hey, if all you get out of it is a reason to drink more water, step into the sunshine, and feel a little more connected to nature, isn’t that already a win?