Spring is finally here! It’s time to pack away the winter coats, hang up the scarves, and head outside to enjoy the warmer temperatures. Every spring I seem to have a burst of energy that compels me to come out of hibernation and be active once again. Where does this newfound liveliness come from? It comes from the sun. The sun does amazing things to our bodies and minds and since the sun shines stronger and longer this time of year, we reap many of its benefits.
What does the sun do for us? For starters, it sets our internal clock. Sunlight tells our body to wake up and to not feel sleepy. The production of the hormone melatonin, which is what helps us doze off at night, is suppressed by sunlight; we therefore have renewed energy throughout the day.
Other benefits of the sun include increased alertness, natural regulation of hunger, and an improved mood. Sunlight sparks the production of serotonin, the “feel good” hormone, and this not only makes us feel happier, it also fights mild depression related to seasonal changes. Further, sunlight produces vitamin D for our bodies, which is important to maintain healthy bones, immune system strength, and proper absorption of nutrients from food.
So, just as the sun replenishes the earth during Spring, it also replenishes us with nutrients and energy. Energy is just the thing we need after a long winter. So find some time to get out of the office this spring and enjoy the sun!
Source: Kalish, N. (March 2008). Light up your health. Retrieved from http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100196424&page=3.