More and more,
researchers are understanding the affect of the sun on our physical, emotional
and mental health. It is the best and most natural form of vitamin D
and, if we get too little of it, we are at risk of Seasonal Affective Disorder
(SAD). But, a new study reveals that sunshine matters more than we thought and
even those of us who don't get SAD, suffer when we don't get our time in the
sun.
The research,
published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, by Mark Beecher, clinical
professor and licensed psychologist at Brigham Young University (BYU) and
Lawrence Rees, a physics professor at BYU, looked at various different
weather conditions over the course of six years and compared them with therapy
distress measures.
"Increases
in sun time were associated with decreased mental health distress," Rees
and Beecher found. Similarly: "Increased mental health distress was found
during periods of reduced sun time hours." Interestingly,
while conditions like pollution also impacted people, time in the sun
seemed to mediate the effect.
It's not just our
mental health the sunshine affects, but our sleep.
Nam Baldwin is
the performance coach of various elite athletes including Mick Fanning,
Stephanie Gilmore and the New Zealand Warriors.
His advice for
the best way to wake up and set your hormones for the day?
"Aim to get
10 to 15 minutes of direct sunlight or some form of exposure to natural
light every morning," he said. "This will assist in maintaining
healthy melatonin production and a balanced body clock for sleep/wake
cycles."
Sunlight holds
distinct advantages over artificial light. It has ultraviolet (UV) light, it is
much brighter than standard man-made light, and occurs at the appropriate time.
Via the UV we
absorb through our skin that causes serotonin-producing vitamin D as well
as the intensity of light through our eyes, which also produces serotonin
(the so-called happiness hormone), the light lifts our mood.
So sunshine warms
us up inside and out and it also helps us wind down – but how much do we
need?
"When the UV
index is 3 or above (such as during summer), most people maintain adequate
vitamin D levels just by spending a few minutes outdoors on most days of the
week," advises the Cancer council.
"In late
autumn and winter in some southern parts of Australia, when the UV index falls
below 3, spend time outdoors in the middle of the day with some skin uncovered.
Being physically active (gardening or going for a brisk walk) also helps boost
vitamin D levels."
Emma McKenzie
Teacher - Edgerley Room
Wellbeing Facilitator
