Have you ever felt a little moody on a cloudy or rainy day? Well, it’s not surprising as sunshine impacts us more than any other weather conditions – in a positive way. When the sun is out and we feel the warmth on our skin, our mind and body benefit.
Daily Sunshine for emotional well-being
Being exposed to sunshine boosts our “happiness hormone” serotonin which regulates our mood and makes us feel happy – our emotional state improves, and we feel more joyful and content. Higher levels of serotonin in the body contribute to feeling calm and focused.
Researchers found that our brain is stimulated when we are exposed to a daily dose of sunshine which improves cognitive performance and memory – the risk of mental conditions such as dementia decreases.
No exposure to sunlight on the contrary can lead to a condition called “Seasonal Affective Disorder”, short SAD, which is more common in the Northern Hemisphere with long winters and lack of daylight, is often treated with natural or artificial light to increase serotonin production. This condition can go hand in hand with depression as our mental well-being is also impacted by a lack of sunlight.
Daily Sunshine for vitamin D boost
The sun is a natural source of vitamin D which promotes cell growth, strengthens our bones and teeth, and reduces inflammation. Whilst it is difficult to get enough vitamin D from our nutrition, the UV rays of the sun encourage our body to produce it. By getting enough sunshine and producing vitamin D, our body also absorbs calcium better which is crucial for our bones, too.
Daily sunshine for physical health
Speaking about the physical health benefits of daily sunlight, let’s not forget the skin: Up to 15 minutes in the sun per day helps improve certain skin conditions such as vitiligo and eczema. Early morning sun between 8 am and noon can help shrink fat cells below the skin’s surface according to scientists.
Additionally to the serotonin that is boosted when sunshine hits our skin and the vitamin D we then produce, nitric oxide is released into our blood and brings down the blood pressure. Long-term daily sun exposure can, therefore, help maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiac disease.
Daily sunshine for improved sleep
Our body has an internal clock based on the natural light and darkness cycle – this regulates physiological processes such as our sleep-wake-cycle. Sunshine signals us to wake up as it stimulates our brain, it helps us synchronize our body with the external world.
During the day the sunlight helps us to feel more energized and awake as it suppresses our melatonin production – a hormone contributing to sleepiness. Once the sun sets, melatonin is released which prepares us for restful sleep during the night. Individuals suffering from insomnia are encouraged to stick to natural light and dark cycles and get enough sunlight during the day, therefore.
Daily Sunshine in doses
When speaking about “enough sunshine” and “daily sunshine exposure”, we need to keep in mind that everyone is different. The ideal daily dose of sunshine depends on several factors such as age, health history and diet, skin tone and place of residence.
For darker-skinned individuals a daily dose of sunshine can be received for up to 30 minutes of sun exposure, lighter-skinned individuals should not be exposed to sunshine for longer than 15 minutes without protection.
Too much sun exposure can cause serious health issues but getting the right dose of daily sunshine can contribute to both our mental and physical well-being.
If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here.
Franziska Richter is a transcultural counsellor with the Willingness Team, offering counselling sessions to individuals and couples. She is particularly interested in sexuality, relationship issues, trauma and general mental health.
References
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-sunlight-health-effects
https://salienceneuro.com/news/explore-the-relationship-between-sunlight-and-overall-health