Sunlight: The Great Healer

Sunlight is one of the forgotten aspects of creating and sustaining our health as we age. Exposure to the sun has many benefits. We can all profit from moderate and reasonable time spent in the outdoors, including the winter months. Exposure to the sun or Heliotherapy has always been a part of naturopathic treatment for disease and the restoration of health. But somehow we have lost sight of how helpful sunlight can be.

Throughout history there has been no better and more common symbol of happiness and well-being than the sun. The ancient Egyptians, the Aztecs, Romans and Greeks all worshipped the sun and thought of it as the source of life and health. Regardless of the historical time that comes to mind you will find people cheered and uplifted by the life giving rays of the sun. Whether it was in the form of the god Helios or establishing Sun-day as the first day of the week, the sun always has played an important role in people’s lives.

The great Greek physician Hippocrates wrote extensively about the sun’s healing powers. Herodotus, the father of Heliotherapy, made frequent statements about the healing properties of the sun in his medical practice. In our own time we see a reflection of these ancient sentiments in songs, poems and movies. And who of us could deny the feeling we have when the sun breaks through the darkened clouds: our mood lifts; our eyes turn upward; our energy and zest for life returns.

Although there have been many serious medical warnings about over exposure to the sun in recent years, we must not neglect the positive role sunlight plays in our mental and physical health. There is good news coming from scientific research telling us why we look and feel better from the sun.

Dealing with the Blues

Sunlight is an important part of our daily lives. Ever notice how much time is spent at the office worrying about who gets the office with the window. And what about all that energy you feel when spring and summer come around. Everyone seems to be outdoors, planning hikes, barbecues and pool parties. You name it and it’s happening.

Tom Wehr, M.D., a research psychiatrist at the National Institutes of Health is an expert in mood disorders and feels that our elevation in mood during the spring and summer can be directly linked to the amount of sunlight we are exposed to. “Researchers have found the exposure to natural light increases the production of serotonin, a chemical that stimulates the brain’s pleasure center, thereby perking up your mood while warding off anxiety and depression.”

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