Mental health is important in everyone’s life, but it can be even more important during the long and rainy months. It’s harder to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, there are fewer daylight hours and it feels like everything is a little bit gloomier.
But that doesn’t mean you have to forfeit your well-being just because it’s raining or cloudy. With some small adjustments to your living space and lifestyle habits, you can still get plenty of sunlight – which has been proven to help boost your mood and mental wellbeing.
So check out these tips to get some sunlight yourself!
How sunlight can affect mental health
There’s been a lot of talks lately about the importance of getting sunlight exposure every day. And while we all know that staying out in the sun is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and bones, what you may not know is that sunlight can also play a role in your mental health. In this post, we’ll take a look at how sunlight affects our moods and emotions, and we’ll provide some tips for getting the most out of sunny days.
1. Sunlight can boost your mood
One of the most well-known benefits of sunlight is that it can boost your mood. Numerous studies have shown that exposure to sunlight can increase levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood. In one study, people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) who were exposed to bright light for 30 minutes per day experienced a significant improvement in their symptoms.
2. Sunlight can help you sleep better
Another benefit of sunlight is that it can help you sleep better. The human body has an internal clock that regulates when we feel sleepy and when we feel awake. This clock is known as the circadian rhythm. Exposure to sunlight helps to keep our circadian rhythm on track, which can improve sleep quality.
3. Sunlight can increase your energy levels
In addition to boosting your mood, sunlight can also increase your energy levels. This is because sunlight helps to trigger the release of adrenaline, a hormone that gives us a burst of energy. So if you’re feeling tired and need a quick pick-me-up, spending some time in the sun may be just what you need.
4. Sunlight can improve your concentration
Another benefit of sunlight is that it can improve your concentration and cognitive function. One study found that students who were exposed to natural light performed better on tests than those who were not exposed to natural light. Additionally, another study found that office workers who had access to natural light reported higher levels of satisfaction with their work environment and were less likely to take sick days than those who did not have access to natural light.
5. Sunlight can help prevent seasonal affective disorder
As mentioned earlier, exposure to sunlight can help improve symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs during the darker days when there is less natural light available. If you live in an area with long gloomy or rainy and short days, spending some time outdoors in the sun may help to prevent SAD or lessen its symptoms
Tips on getting some sunlight (even without sunshine days ‘yo!)
You may not realize it, but getting some sunlight can do wonders for your mood and overall health. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of the sun’s benefits.
Go for walks outside
If you can, take some time every day to go outside and enjoy the fresh air. Even just a walk around the block will do the trick.
If you work indoors, this is even more important – it’s easy to forget to go outside when you spend all day in the same place.
Keep a pair of sunglasses and a warm jacket on hand to make it easier to enjoy the outdoors all year round.
Hang out by the windows
If you have a window in your house, spend some time sitting near it and enjoying the sunlight.
If you can, open the window and let the fresh air and sunlight in. Avoid sitting by open windows if there are insects or other pests trying to get in – you’re not helping yourself by letting them inside!
You can also use a light therapy box (more on this below) if you want to be exposed to sunlight even when it’s not outside.
Play with color
This is one of the most interesting and proven ways to boost your mood and feelings of well-being during the rainy months.
By adding colors like red or yellow to your home decor, you can trick your brain into feeling more positive. This is because these colors have been shown to have a positive effect on the human psyche.
So if you’re feeling a little blue during rainy or dark days, adding some red to your room/living space can help.
Don’t forget to breathe
This is an easy and effective way to calm yourself down when things are getting too stressful.
You can use this technique whenever you need to – whether you’re feeling stressed or sad, or even just have too much on your mind. Try these exercises. You can either do this sitting or standing up, wherever you are.
- Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths in and out through your nose – this will help you focus on your breath.
- Next, breathe in through your nose slowly and deeply, hold it for a few seconds, then breathe out through your mouth slowly. Repeat this a few times.
- Finally, just focus on your breathing. Let any thoughts come and go without getting caught up in them.
- If there are certain thoughts that are really bothering you, try writing them down as a way of dealing with them.
Conclusion
Sunlight affects mental health in a number of ways, but two of the most important are increasing serotonin and vitamin D levels.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of happiness and optimism. Vitamin D is essential for physical and cognitive health, including mood.
There are plenty of ways to boost serotonin and vitamin D on rainy days. You can go for walks, sit by open windows, and even play with color in your home decor. You can also use breathing techniques to stay calm and focused. If you want to maintain your mental health, it’s important to remember that sunlight isn’t just something for the summer months. With a few small adjustments and lifestyle changes, you can make sure your mental health is in great shape through rainy days!
