What do you think of when someone talks about improving mental wellness? Many people think of therapy or even medication. However, something as simple as going outside and basking in sunlight can improve mental health.
Nearly 10 million Americans are affected by seasonal depression. Some associated symptoms are social withdrawal, other mental disorders (such as anxiety disorders), and suicidal behaviors. One way to prevent such a significant problem is to expose yourself to sunlight.
When your skin goes in contact with sunlight, it creates its own vitamin D. Having this vitamin D synthesized by the skin can improve mood and cognitive function because of the release and regulation of serotonin and melatonin. When these substances are in proper amounts, they can positively influence brain chemistry and even reduce the risk of depression. When the winter months come, the sun is out for less than usual, causing the amount of those chemicals to be irregular.
Many experts say that getting around 10-30 minutes of sunlight at least three times a week is sufficient for most people, although that time frame changes from person to person depending on genetics and skin color.
Unfortunately, this solution is not always viable such as if a person lives far from the equator where sunlight hours are few. In the case where someone is unable to have sun contact, they can take vitamin D pills. Although these pills are not a foolproof way to reverse seasonal depression, it has been shown to reduce seasonal depression in some people.
Now it’s summer so there is plenty of sunlight to go around. If possible, go outside and improve your mental wellness.
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