Most of us think of sunlight as something that just makes mornings nicer or gives us a decent mood boost after a gloomy week. But a recent study by AIIMS has added a much more serious reason to step into the sun: it may actually help people recover better after a stroke.The findings of the study were presented at the fifth Research Day of the institute. Stroke recovery is usually talked about in terms of physiotherapy, medication, and long rehab routines. All of that is obviously crucial. What the AIIMS study highlights, though, is that recovery isn’t only about what happens inside hospitals or therapy rooms. Sometimes, something as basic as regular exposure to natural sunlight can make a meaningful difference.The study was done between November 2023 and April 2025 and examined patients who had suffered moderate stroke. 40 patients were selected for the study and one group from these were put in rehabilitation care and the other group got the same treatment along with sunlight. The researchers found that the group exposed to sunlight recovered better.“Recovery for stroke survivors entails not only physical strengthening but also completing personal care activities. One of the inquiries that medical professionals are increasingly confronted with is if regular sun exposure can aid in the stroke patient’s convalescence period. Sun exposure does not cure an illness, however, if one goes out in the sun while being monitored by a healthcare professional, it can be a very positive step if one follows the rules of safety and health,” Dr. Sitla Prasad Pathak- Principal Consultant, Neurosciences, Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, who was not involved in the study, told TOI Health.“People who have suffered a stroke are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency since they are less inclined to get some sunlight at the time they are recuperating. According to the latest studies, people with adequate vitamin D levels tend to have fewer muscle and nerve problems and less likely to fall, which is a significant risk factor for stroke patients,” the doctor explains and shares few precautions.

Precautions before engaging in a daily sunlight regimen

Stroke survivors must pay attention to how much time they spend outside. Because of their medications, especially blood pressure medications, they can be more vulnerable to dehydration. Drinking a lot of water before and after coming from the sun is necessary.Another thing that matters is what time you choose to go outside in the sun. To avoid heat stroke and sunburns, one should always sunbathe either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. A 10, 20 minute exposure is usually enough; its healthier to come back inside sooner than to be outside for too long.After application of sunscreen, next comes the protection layers of clothing: light clothes, head gear, and avoiding the direct sun. We doctors, too, suggest that people refrain from going out when the sun is at its strongest because the heat causes excessive stress on the heart and worsens the feeling of tiredness.

Can sunlight treat other neurological disorders?

“Sunlight therapy has the potential to aid the recovery process after a stroke. There are neurologists who believe that sunlight exposure might be beneficial for brain ailments such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and chronic nerve pain as well. These diseases can be helped by sunlight in the way that it prevents vitamin D deficiency, promotes good sleep and improves mood,” says Dr. Sitla Prasad Pathak. “Sunlight is a natural remedy for people with depression or mental slowness after brain illness as it makes them feel more alert and less tired. Nonetheless, doctors warn that any treatment with sunlight must not be considered a substitute for proper medical care or therapy,” he warns. Medical experts consulted This article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by: Dr. Sitla Prasad Pathak– Principal Consultant, Neurosciences, Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, VaishaliInputs were used to discuss a study by AIIMS researchers that sunlight helps in stroke recovery. The doctor shares how sunlight speeds up the recovery and stresses on following safety.