Lighten Up

Exposure to sunshine at this time of year not only lifts our mood but also strengthens our bones.

- Ruth Nichol

We can’t wind back the clock to the early 19th century when most people spent their days working outside and their nights in darkness illuminated only by a few candles – and who would want to, anyway?

Yet although modern life is much more comfortable and convenient – light at the flick of a switch; warm, dry workplaces; weatherproof vehicles – our bodies are designed to live in a different way. They need regular exposure to outdoor light to function properly.

International studies suggest we spend 90% or more of our time inside and that’s taking a toll on our health, sleep and mood.

The good news is it’s possible to offset the effects of our indoor lifestyle without having to live like our ancestors did. Going outside after breakfast can help regulate sleeping patterns all year round, and getting some winter sun in the middle of the day can boost flagging vitamin D levels. Sunlight may also lift our mood. Several studies have found that people have higher levels of serotonin – a brain chemical linked to mood – on sunny days than on cloudy ones.

Our bodies make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to the ultraviolet B (UVB) rays in sunlight. Vitamin D is important for strong, healthy bones because it helps us absorb calcium and it also helps boost our immune system.