SolCue is an iPhone app that reconnects you to nature’s rhythms—using sunlight to reset your internal clock to support deep sleep, better mood and wellbeing.
Grounded in science, SolCue helps you reset your circadian clock by aligning with the sun's light—especially the morning and evening light windows critical for your health.
Why Light Timing Matters
Spending time outside in natural light within 1–2 hours after sunrise and before sunset signals your brain to regulate melatonin, boost mood, and set your internal clock. Just 5-10 minutes in morning light on sunny days is effective and 20-30 minutes on cloudy days.
The result?
Better, deeper sleep
More stable energy
Improved focus and mood
Reduced stress
Greater overall resilience
SolCue App: What It Does
Core Functionality
Track your outdoor time - Simple start/stop button to log time spent outside
See optimal light windows - Yellow display the best times for natural light exposure
24-hour sun clock - Shows your location's full day/night cycle at a glance
Location-based accuracy - Uses your GPS location for precise sunrise/sunset times
Daily progress - View total minutes spent outside each day
The 24-Hour Sun Clock Explained
Unlike a regular 12-hour clock, this shows your entire day in one circle:
12 midnight is at the top (like a compass), 12 Noon is at the bottom. 6pm & 6am are at the left and right.
Different colors show light phases: deep blue for night, purple for twilight, light blue for daylight
Golden sections highlight "prime windows" - the best 2-hour periods for light exposure to set your circadian clock.
Your current time is marked by the white line
Perfect For..
Anyone wanting better sleep patterns
Health-conscious individuals tracking wellness habits
Individuals looking to improve their sleep or mood
Those interested in circadian rhythm optimization
People who work indoors all day
The Science, Simply Put
Sleep Starts with the Sun
Early light tells your brain, ‘the day’s begun.’
This shuts down melatonin at the right time—so it can rise again naturally at night, helping you sleep deeper.
Mood Rises with the Light
Bright light = Bright mood.
Sunlight boosts serotonin, your natural “feel-good” chemical, lifting mood and reducing stress.
Light Clears the Fog
Daylight in your eyes = Mental highs.
Your brain is wired to respond to sunlight—it’s built in, not learned.
Evening Glow Helps You Unwind
Soft light at dusk says, ‘it’s time to wind down.’
Your body naturally begins to prepare itself for sleep when it senses the colors and softness of sunset—just like it always has.
Glass Blocks UV Light
Sitting indoors near a window is a lovely thing to do, unfortunately, glass filters out most of the UV and blue light to reset your internal clock effectively. Even a shady outdoor spot is better than full sun through a window.
Clouds Still Count
Cloudy skies? No problem!
Even on overcast days, clouds diffuse sunlight but don’t block the UV spectrum that send strong signals to your body’s timekeeper.
Your Body Is Wise
You already know—just let nature show.
Your rhythms aren’t broken—they’re just buried. Step outside, and your body remembers.
Why I Built SolCue
As a surfer for nearly 40 years, I’ve lived my life by the tides, sunlight, and wind. This daily rhythm with nature has guided my passion, and deepened my connection to something far greater than myself.
At Ocean State of Mind, we believe that nature is not just a place to visit—it’s a relationship to remember. In a time when technology pulls us further from the natural world, especially our young people, I felt called to create something different. While I’ve been a critic of how screens hijack attention and dull our inner knowing, I saw an opportunity: to use tech not to distract us, but to gently guide us back to the natural cycles that keep us healthy, happy and well-rested!
SolCue is an iOS app that reconnects you to nature’s rhythms—using light (and soon tides and your own breath) to reset your internal clock to support deep sleep, better mood and wellbeing. It’s based on the science of circadian health, but grounded in something deeper: the belief that we already carry the wisdom we need. We just have to reconnect.
This app is an extension of my one-on-one coaching and retreats —a small, daily reminder to step outside, breathe deeply, and come back to yourself. SolCue brings a piece of that experience into your pocket. It helps you tune into your daily flow, not by pushing harder—but by syncing deeper with nature. Right now, the app is in testing phase with a cohort of individuals. If you want to learn more about my coaching or retreats or are interested in participating in SolCue testing, send me a note.
See you outside!
— Damian Ewens
Founder, Ocean State of Mind