Long have we known that sunshine is good for the soul. Not too much, of course, we don’t want to get burned after all. A Little sunshine is as good for our mental well-being as it is for our physical health, strength, and beliefs, and it gives us little hope for the future. Many of us have recently survived some of the most traumatic weather episodes in our lifetimes. Something that is becoming apparent where I live is that we are getting ever-increasingly devastating weather events almost yearly and have had to become resilient, or as resilient as we can, in the face of this.
For many of us, there has been considerable loss of our life’s possessions, things we have worked hard to get and have made sacrifices to obtain. Our possessions and homes have been violated by this thing we call nature. We feel unsafe and insecure about what is happening now and what will happen in the future. Our home, where we feel safe, is no longer the haven we thought, and now we need help to get things back to a new normal. So where do we turn to for that help?
One place to start is outside in the sunshine. Yes, good old vitamin D has existed since the beginning of time. Sunshine will brighten your day, and that instant feeling of warmth and light that you will feel increases your levels of dopamine and serotonin, the feel-good hormones within us. When sunlight enters your eyes, it stimulates the parts of your retina that then cue your brain to produce dopamine and serotonin (WebMD).
Serotonin appears to play a role in regulating mood, emotions, appetite, and digestion, while dopamine helps with neurotransmitting of messages to our mind and body(WebMD). Studies have shown an increase in depression and anxiety disorders with a drop in vitamin D levels in young people, pregnant people and older generations(Pbsnc.com, 2023). Vitamin D is readily available and free to absorb from the sun, and if that is not something you are comfortable with, you can buy some in tablet form from most supermarkets and chemists.
If you are feeling down after recent happenings, start with a bit of sunshine, this is a beginning to better mental health, but only a start. You may need to talk with someone, a friend, a neighbour, a doctor or a mental well-being specialist such as a counsellor, therapist or psychologist(Healthline, 2023). Let’s get talking and allow other people to help us, and if you can, try listening to someone in need. If there is a local park in your area, why not escape the chaos and go for a healthy dose of Vitamin D to brighten your spirits? Have you felt the warmth of the morning sun on your face lately? What’s stopping you?
References
WebMD – Better information. Better health. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from https://www.webmd.com
Legg, T. J., & Meeks, S. (n.d.). What Are the Benefits of Sunlight? Healthline. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/benefits-sunlight
Lotker, M. (2020, December 22). Sunlight, Serotonin and Your Sleep Cycle. PBS North Carolina. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from https://www.pbsnc.org/blogs/science/sunlight-happiness-link/
