Sunlight: The Great Healer
In contrast, look at what happens to people in the long winter months, especially those living in the Northeast and Northwest. Over 11 million people suffer from what is called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD and another 25 million suffer from a milder form of “winter blues.”
The symptoms of SAD and the “winter blues” can include fatigue, craving carbohydrates, irritability, sleeping more and a change of personality from your summer self to your winter self. It’s not exactly known what causes SAD but according to health writer Francis FitzGerald, “SAD occurs year after year during a specific season – usually the winter – and vanishes when spring ushers in longer days and more sunshine.”
Medical Researchers think that our depressed moods during the winter may be the result of a chemical imbalance between serotonin and melatonin. With too little sunlight melatonin makes us drowsy, and disrupts our internal clock.
As we get older we have to monitor our moods closely and not forget to get enough sunlight to keep ourselves uplifted. Leading an active life, especially during the winter months can keep us optimistic and engaged in our daily activities. Don't downplay the role getting outdoors can play to improve our quality of life.
Dealing with our Bodies
Besides just making us feel better and more energetic, exposure to sunlight plays an important role in helping us create vitamin D in our bodies. What makes this so important? Vitamin D has been shown to help prevent and treat serious medical conditions, including: breast cancer, osteoporosis, prostate cancer, psoriasis, acne, etc.
The most abundant form of vitamin D is obtained primarily through synthesis by ultra-violet light (UVB) in the skin. It then moves into our circulation. Though many people aren’t aware of it, most of our physiological requirements for vitamin D are provided for by casual exposure to sunlight. It is easy to see how important sunlight is for our physical health as well as our mental health!
Breast Cancer
180,300 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. It is a major concern for women of all ages. But there is hope. According to Judie Gaillard and Donald Smith of Sun Wellness, a study by researcher Ester M. John at the Northern California Cancer Center, entitled “Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Risk…” concluded that casual exposure to sunlight, along with other factors, can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. The scientists concluded “high
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