ROdown Blog
Let the sunshine in!
We’ve been brought up to be sun-smart (remember kids, no hat no play!), but sunlight in small but regular doses is natural and important to our health. Did you know that spending time outdoors every day can actually make you feel happier? Sunlight increases vitamin D levels, which along with other health benefits reduces your risk of depression. Sunlight also positively impacts levels of hormones such as serotonin, which affects mood and alertness, and is the target of many anti-depressants. As well as the benefits of sunlight, we know that finding a quiet place outside to take a break can be a great way to de-stress. I find it helps to spend time outdoors, at least 10 minutes every day, even if it’s cold and wet and especially if I don’t feel like it.
Did you know that depression round the world is more common in winter? A study at the Harvard School of Public Health showed that suicide rates peak in December in the Northern Hemisphere, and June in the Southern Hemisphere. Another study published by the Public Library of Science in 2010 shows that google searches for “depression” show the same pattern. Perhaps this is because people spend less time outdoors, and less time in the sun, when the days are short and cold. For anyone (like me) who sometimes get most of their ambient light from their computer screen, sunlight can be a distant memory, especially in winter.
If you do feel down and you’re spending less time outdoors than usual, due to winter or exams or whatever, make sure to take some time, every day, to just hang out outside. If you do sport, great, you get bonus endorphins as well, which are brain chemicals released during exercise that also make you feel good. If you don’t play an outdoor sport regularly, then take a book, or a dog, or a mate, and just hang out somewhere outside. You don’t need to get a tan, and definitely don’t let yourself burn, but get outside for a while. It may work best if you get bright light in the morning to wake yourself up, but figure out what works for you and fit it into your routine so you make a habit of it.
When I’m feeling down, I tend to turn into a hermit and stay in my room with my laptop. But I realised that if I do that, I’ll never feel any better, so I try and get up and out of the house anyway. I got myself a dog when I moved out of home, and now I have to get up early every morning to walk him, preferably at the beach if I have time. Most of the time I just sit on the beach and watch him chase waves, and it’s a great way to start the day.
Article by Jane, ReachOut.com Intern
What a coinkeydink that this months Community Challenge on ReachOut.com is all about being one with nature. Why not check out how you can get involved here!
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3 Comments
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Rosie - RO crew
4 months ago
Reply ReportAwesome! Do you live near the beach? I Grew up away from the ocean, but I found a lake often did the trick too :)
Cesjb87
4 months ago
Reply ReportI like the idea of walking along the beach probably because it is something I do not get to do that often. When I go to the beach I always feel better and like most people I become a hermit when Im down. Great article.
Rosie - RO crew
4 months ago
Reply ReportThis is such a great topic - being outdoors is the one thing I push myself to do every day, even if it's just a stroll around the block. Being a milky white redhead, I always carry sunblock with me so my daily dose doesn't turn into a burn and a pell (eew).