Light somehow reaches into the brain and stimulates our thoughts
and emotions. We need a daily ration of light. Ultraviolet radiation
in sunlight enables the skin to synthesise Vitamin D.
A common problem in countries with high altitudes, eg
Canada or Scandinavia, is Seasonal Affected Depression or SAD
for short. This causes depression due to the reduced hours
of daylight in the winter months.
Light somehow reaches into the brain and stimulates our
thoughts and emotions. Studies reveal that our bodies
need to be exposed to full-spectrum light (i.e. sunlight)
- not just the few parts of the spectrum radiated by most
lamps - if we are to feel energetic and to perform at our
best.
We need a daily ration of sunlight. If you are working inside
all day, then you should spend part (or all) of your lunch break
in the sun.
Ultraviolet light enables the skin to synthesise Vitamin D.
Mood and performance suffer when a person's doses of light are
either too little or too irregular.
The timing of our light doses is important too. That's why
sunrise and sunset have an influence on human behaviour,
in particular for night shift workers, and jet travellers (jet lag).
Get out of doors early and late in the day and open curtains
to let the sunshine flood in. Melatonin levels go down, and
spirits and performance go up.
Please send your comments by email to
Charles Cave
Notes based on How to Boost Your Brain Power by Roger
Yepsen - Published by Rodale Press - 1987
Sunshine on my Shoulders
Read the words to Sunshine on my shoulders
by John Denver.
Last updated: 16th October 1996