Candice Cruz
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Good morning active members of TalkinSex!
(Early morning at Langtrees VIP Canberra)
(Early morning at Langtrees VIP Canberra)
Have you ever wondered what weather does that affects your moods?
(In the recent years, I’ve been more open about bipolar disorder, and although some people may see mental-health as a swish over the shoulder kind of topic because we are all superhuman *rolls eyes,* it’s a conversation that should be open to all)
I’ve learnt in the last year that I actually struggle at extreme levels during the Winter; but barely noticed as I would go into workaholic-mode, just to avoid it. (Denial much? Haha)
I asked for a script of anti-depressants, just from end April-end of September, and it has made a difference in surviving the ordeal of “seasonal affective (disorder) blues.”
So, what’s the weather got to do with any of this, might you ask?
There have been studies and proof that catching a ray of sunshine improves your mood throughout the day.
(Similarly, in the Northern parts of the world where there is only a few hours of sunlight; people tend to use ‘light therapy,’ for those who have money to spend, that is)
“Increasing your exposure to sunlight can help improve your mood and give you a boost of energy when you’re feeling fatigued. This may be because sunlight makes it easier for your body to absorb vitamin D, which is an essential nutrient for brain function. A 2014 study^ also found that frequent exposure to sunlight might help prevent the onset of bipolar symptoms, including fatigue.”
Source:
Bipolar Disorder-Related Fatigue: How to Fight It
Here are seven ways to fight the fatigue that often accompanies bipolar disorder.
www.healthline.com
2014 study:
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Another study, but lengthy read, so here’s the summary—
“...Those groups who are at risk for vitamin D deficiency include the elderly, adolescents, obese individuals, and those with chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes). Interestingly, it is these same groups that have also been reported to be at risk for depression (CDC, 2009; Lemstra et al., 2008; Lustman, Penckofer, & Clouse, 2008; Strine et al., 2008). The role that vitamin D supplementation could play in the prevention and treatment of depression has not been studied and should be an important area of future research. If exercising outdoors in the sunshine, eating foods rich in vitamin D, and/or taking dietary supplements to improve vitamin D deficiency could improve one’s mental well being, it would be a simple and cost-effective solution for many who are at risk for depression and possibly other mental disorders.”
Source:
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What Forbes has to say—
Why Sunlight Is Actually Good For You
⁃ It elevates mood.
”The sun works through a number of receptors in the brain to affect our mental status and alertness,” says Dr. Michael Roizen, Chief Wellness Officer at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. Moderate sunlight exposure helps improve your mood and focus by boosting the serotonin levels in your body. Also known as the ‘happiness hormone’, it makes you calm and alert. Also, “sunlight decreases the risk of depression in those at risk of seasonal affective disorder (SAD),” adds Dr. Roizen.
⁃ It improves sleep. “The brighter your daylight exposure, the more melatonin you produce at night,” says Dr. Mithu Storoni, physician, researcher and author of Stress-Proof. Melatonin is a type of hormone that’s “produced by the pineal gland in the brain during darkness at night”, she explains. Also known as the sleep hormone, melatonin has “a range of effects on the brain, from improving sleep to synchronizing your biological clocks, and lowering stress reactivity,” adds Dr. Storoni. Additionally, the amount of daylight exposure you get is crucial in maintaining a normal circadian rhythm. “Distorted circadian rhythms can induce symptoms of both depression and bipolar disorder, depending on the pattern of disruption,” says Dr. Storoni.
⁃ It promotes bone growth. Vitamin D is “a hormone that promotes calcium absorption and is essential for bone growth and formation,” tells Dr. Roizen. Since sunlight is a primary source of Vitamin D, the hormone is also dubbed as ‘the sunshine vitamin’. “The Vitamin D found in our body needs activation.
⁃ It helps strengthen the immune system. “Strong association studies have found that Vitamin D is also very important in signaling the immune system. It appears to be necessary in adequate amounts to turn on your ability to survey the rest of your cells,” says Dr.Roizen. Since regular sun exposure is one of the most robust ways to up active Vitamin-D levels in your body, it can help beef up your immune system as well. “Inadequate levels of this vitamin have been associated with an increased rate of infection, cancer, and mortality rate after surgery,” he adds.
⁃ It lowers blood pressure. According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the Edinburgh University, moderate exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause a significant drop in blood pressure levels. Lower blood pressure levels help cut down the risk of stroke and heart disease.
⁃ It may reduce the risk of melanoma. Yes, you read that right! Safe sun exposure may actually protect you from skin cancer. According to a study published in the Lancet Journal, the skin’s exposure to ultraviolet radiation of short wavelength (UVB) has been associated with a decreased risk of melanoma. The research found that outdoor workers who were exposed to regular sunlight had a lower risk of developing skin cancer compared to their indoor counterparts. Other than that, an adequate amount of sunlight has also been linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers (including colon, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancer), suggests a study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal.
⁃ It promotes weight loss. Latest research reveals that basking in morning sunshine can reduce body fat and help you shed those extra pounds.The study suggests that as little as 20 to 30 minutes of early morning sun exposure is sufficient for you to lower your Body Mass Index (BMI) and trim your waistline.
Source:
Why Sunlight Is Actually Good For You
Sunlight may be the most underrated wellness essential. Let science tell you how and why.
www.forbes.com
Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday! Shine bright!
All smiles ☀
