Ah, the sun. Everybody loves a bit of sunshine, right?
I find myself waking up happier when the sun is shining outside. I’m sure it has magic powers. Even on my darkest days, if I wake to the sun filtering through the curtains, I feel a tiny bit better.
It may not last long but in that moment it does feel good to know it isn’t as miserable outside as it is inside my mind. And that’s something, at least!
As long as you protect yourself with SPF to avoid any negative impacts the sun’s rays can cause, you might as well use this free source of serotonin and endorphin-boosting goodness!
I took a walk along the beach with my housemate yesterday because it’s finally warm enough to do so here in South Wales. A bit nippy in the shade, but with the sun on our faces and sand between our toes, I could almost feel the whirring thoughts disappearing for a while as I soaked up the warmth and enjoyed the stunning views my local beach has to offer.
The Benefits
* Vitamin D is essential for our immune, respiratory, and skeletal system functions as well as helping our heart and blood vessels perform to the best of their abilities. There’s also research that suggests Vitamin D has a role to play in regulating serotonin and calcium and a possible therapeutic effect on depression.
* Some studies show that Vitamin D can have a positive effect on those of us who are neurodivergent (autism, ADHD, etc…) Who knew?!
I certainly didn’t until I started researching for this article!
* Those suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) also benefit greatly when the sun is shining, as this disorder is a type of depression linked to the seasons changing (usually from Spring/Summer to Autumn/Winter — called ‘Winter-Pattern SAD or Winter-Depression.)
More Information
What I’ve mentioned here, with a heck of a lot more detail, can be found at VeryWellMind.com if you’d like to know more about its overall effects (as well as links to the research and studies from which they draw from.)
🌞 Go outside! 🌞
It’s something I need to remember to do, a lot more often than I do at the moment, so with summer fast approaching I’ll be reminding myself to get out there at least once a day.
Even if it’s just a walk to the shop, or spending some time sitting down in your back garden with a cuppa and a puzzle book (like I did this afternoon!)
Protect yourself appropriately with SPF and create some ample shade, safe in the knowledge that you’re increasing and regulating that much-needed serotonin, and boosting your endorphins at the same time.
Before you know it we’ll all be basking in the glorious sunshine, whilst channeling our inner Sookies and living our best lives, just like her 😊
Until next time,
KD x