Dear friend, dear friend,
There are simple remedies, which cost nothing, but which no one thinks of.
This is the case for many diseases or health problems, depression in particular.
As we know, the latter is very often linked to the lack of light(1).
If you’re feeling down, go outside as soon as the sun shines. Daylight, even in the middle of winter, is good for your mood and your health!
The sad winter in the Scandinavian countries
Northern European countries such as Sweden, Finland or Norway benefit from low unemployment, a generous welfare state and excellent healthcare systems(2,3,4).
Yet these are also countries with high suicide rates(5,6,7).
The main reason for this apparent paradox is the lack of light in autumn and winter.
Indeed, 3 to 8% of the Nordic adult population suffers from seasonal depression.(1).
These people are tired or irritable throughout the cold season. They experience a drop in libido, need more sleep and see their appetite increase.
Sometimes their weight also increases, which depresses them even more!
For scientists, this phenomenon might be explained by a biochemical imbalance involving melatonin(1).
This hormone plays on the biological rhythm and the regulation of mood(1).
Then spring comes and all these symptoms disappear.
Daylight, cortisol and morning happiness
The light would also lower cortisol levels, also known as the stress hormone.(8,9).
Cortisol is made by the adrenal glands, which as their name suggests, are located above the kidneys.
In the morning, your cortisol levels are usually high. It will drop during the day and will be low at night(10).
Daylight automatically lowers cortisol levels.
It’s as if the sun takes over your body. From now on, it is the solar star that wakes you up and brings you all the energy you need to start your day.
Your body can rest and use its hormones for other things.
Sun, immunity and vitamin D
Getting sunlight in the morning has another benefit: it boosts your immunity.(11).
The sun’s UV rays would have a positive effect on your lymphocytes, the cells that protect your body once morest the attacks of pathogens.
Exposing yourself to the sun, in the morning, would therefore have a protective effect once morest infections.
It is a direct help from the sun.
But the beneficial action of its UV rays does not stop there. It also stimulates the production of vitamin D in your body.
However, vitamin D is a pre-hormone. She plays the role of a messenger.
It circulates in the blood and activates or on the contrary extinguishes the action of certain cellular mechanisms.(12).
In doing so, vitamin D allows your body to fight once morest intestinal porosity.
It ensures that the cells of the intestine stick together, which prevents bad bacteria from entering the blood.
The vitamin also acts on macrophages, these cells which “eat” and destroy pathogenic agents: viruses, bacteria or parasites(12).
You may tell me that the action of the sun is a little weak to have an effective action on vitamin D.
And this is particularly true in Northern Europe.
But she does! Taking a little daylight bath as soon as the sun rises, then during your breaks in the day, has a positive effect on your body(12).
But many doctors advise during the winter to supplement this natural action with vitamin D supplementation.
Your brain loves the sun
Finally, we know that daylight acts on the brain.
And in this area, what matters is the dose.
A little sun will be very beneficial for your cognitive functions, too much sun on the contrary will hit you on the system.
In winter, however, the “too much sun” hypothesis in Europe is still rather rare…
On the other hand, your exposure to the sun on a beautiful winter morning should(13,14) :
- stimulate your learning abilities;
- strengthen your memory;
- stimulate the production of endorphins which gives you a feeling of well-being;
- improve your balance.
In summer, exposing yourself for 5 to 10 minutes a day would be enough for your body, as long as you show the sun not only your face but also your hands and arms.(13,14)…
In winter and spring, you can prolong these moments of intimacy with the sun a little.
Even if the sky is overcast, daylight is good for your body.
If you feel a little depressed, take your courage in both hands, and at daybreak, take a short walk of fifteen minutes.
The solar star even in winter will give you heart balm, make you more resistant to infections and more intelligent whatever your starting point.
Worth it !
Naturally yours,
Augustine of Livois
