Why Sunshine Feels So Good

I spent a half hour on the back porch, sipping tea, and watching the birds tussle over a spot on the feeders, this afternoon, as the temperature climbed to 100 once again.  It’s one of my favorite things to do.  From my place in the shade, the bright sunshine, cloudless sky and birds can be so relaxing and uplifting.

Most people love the sun but we all know that ultraviolet rays in sunlight damage skin cells and increase the risks of skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the U.S.  Each year there are 7300 deaths due to malignant melanoma.  Even more disturbing are statistics from The Skin Cancer Foundation showing that pediatric melanoma cases have increased nearly 100 percent in the past 20 years. This may be due, in part, to diminishing ozone layers that filter UV rays. 

With Texas typically seeing high UV indexes during much of the year, Texans are at a greater risk of skin cancer than others.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Weather Service, a UV index of 6 to 8 is considered high, 8 to 10 is very high, and 11 and up is extremely high. 

But, in spite of all those sinister facts, we still love sunshine.  Actually it’s because sunlight boosts serotonin levels.  The rate of serotonin production in the brain is directly related to the duration of bright sunlight.  Serotonin is the body’s main “mood hormone” with a low level being considered a factor in depresson.  That’s why serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Prozac and Paxil make you feel better. 

Sunlight is also believed to elevate levels of dopamine, a hormone associated with feelings of pleasure.  Additionally, sunlight suppresses the release of melatonin, which makes you feel sleepy, and creates vitamin D and all the benefits associated with this sunshine vitamin, when it strikes the skin.  Some scientists even claim that depression may be relieved more quickly by light therapy than by drug therapy. 

So, how do we strike a happy medium between skin cancer risk and a happy mood?  Dermatologists advise us to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out even if it is cloudy and then every two hours afterward, and after swimming.  Other precautions include protective clothing of tightly woven fabric, sun visors, and UVA and UVB filtering sunglasses, as well as being particularly cautious when UV indexes are highest. You can check your UV index at Sunwise Program UV Index.  And we need to always drink plenty of fluids to replenish water and minerals lost in perspiration.

Enjoy the summer sun but enjoy it wisely.