It’s summer! The seasonal depression is finally on a break, we’re starting to feel good again and it’s all because the sun is out.

There’s a reason we start to feel mentally and physically happier and healthier in the summer time and it’s all to do with the sun!

Even though there are warnings about how spending too much time in the sun can be damaging to our skin, (which is true, so please remember to look after your skin and wear your SPF this summer) soaking up the sun can have many mental and physical benefits.

Here’s why you should have fun in the sun:

1. Improves Mental Health

   Sunlight can trigger a release of hormones called serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a natural mood-boosting hormone that promotes feelings of calm, happiness, and focus. Without enough sun, our serotonin levels can dip and that can contribute to low mood or even depression. This can be linked to seasonal depression that we experience during the winter months when we are exposed to fewer hours of daylight. It has been found that less time in the light and more in the dark will contribute to these feelings of low mood or depression.

2. Vitamin D

   Enjoying time in the sun will prompt Vitamin D production within your body. Vitamin D is associated with many important functions within the body that keep us healthy. However, it is hard to obtain a quality amount of Vitamin D from food alone, so the best source of Vitamin D for our body is the sun. Research has found that we only need about 5 – 15 minutes of sunlight a week to improve our Vitamin D intake and feel the benefits. These benefits include improved mood but also stronger and healthier bones, teeth, and muscles.

3. Strong Bones
   The Vitamin D we can get from the sun is important for strong bones, teeth, and muscles. Without Vitamin D, our body cannot fully absorb other important nutrients and minerals such as calcium that are needed to keep the body strong and healthy. Research has linked diseases such as osteoporosis and rickets to a lack of Vitamin D within the body.

4. Better Quality of Sleep
   It is well known that the sun boosts serotonin levels and improves your mood, but the opposite of serotonin is melatonin. Melatonin is responsible for the body’s ability to unwind and sleep better at night. It is important to have a healthy balance of both hormones so that our body can be active during the day and rest at night. For those of us who struggle to sleep, it is recommended that you try to regulate your body’s internal clock (also known as cardiac rhythm) by creating a clear nighttime routine that will help you to mentally and physically unwind at the end of the day and prepare for sleep. So, soak up the sun during the day and then create a dark, calming atmosphere at night to help train your mind to know the difference between night and day so that you can sleep better at night.

5. Safety in the Sun
   The sun has many benefits for our body and mind, and even though we want to have fun in the sun, it is important to stay safe. This means wearing your SFP every day to prevent skin damage and staying hydrated throughout the day. You don’t need to spend a whole day outside to benefit from the sun, just a few hours a day or a few small activities can have a positive effect over time. A picnic with friends, reading on the beach, working in the garden, or just going for a morning walk can give you those extra rays and will be extremely beneficial.

Enjoy your summer and stay safe!