How to Beat the Blues This Summer

If you’re excited for the longer days of summer, I feel the same way.

Here in Arizona, summer can be sweltering—and I love it.

I love sweating out my body’s toxins, and I love soaking in the cold water of the natural springs near my house.

I also love soaking in the extra hours of sunlight.

It makes me feel happy.

And if you’ve been feeling down in the dumps lately—or if you still feel like you can’t shake the winter blues—you’ll want to follow my lead and head outside right away.

Sunlight is one of the best treatments for anxiety, depression, and lack of energy.

In one study, after observing 16,000 adults across 19 different weather variables, researchers found that exposure to sunlight was linked with significant decreases in anxiety and other negative emotions.

That’s because sunlight directly impacts your hormone production.

• It boosts levels of serotonin, a hormone that produces feelings of happiness and contentment.
• At the same time, it shuts off levels of melatonin, the sleep hormone that promotes feelings of drowsiness and decreased energy.

It’s a two-fold benefit that not only makes you feel happier, but has also been proven to battle sadness and anxiety.

But it doesn’t matter how long the days are—or how much sunlight there is—if you’re hidden away indoors.

You have to be outside in direct sunlight to soak up its benefits.

Aim for periods of time at each point in the day: sunrise, mid-day, and evening. The sun provides various benefits at different points in the day because of the various spectrums of light.

Drink your coffee as the sun rises.

Lay by the pool in the afternoon.

Take a walk with your dog in the evening (my dog Nash loves our walks).

Not only will you be getting the benefits of the sunlight, but of the activities you’re doing in the process.

That’s sure to put a smile on your face.

P.S. A recent study revealed that there’s a natural drink that is surprisingly effective at lowering the risk of anxiety and depression—and at promoting feelings of happiness. Find out what it is, right here.

 

SOURCE:

Gozdziewski, J. (2022, April 14.) Say Goodbye to Winter Blues: Summer Skies Are Beneficial to Your Health. The Daily Cardinal. https://www.dailycardinal.com/article/2022/04/say-goodbye-to-winter-blues-sunnier-skies-are-beneficial-to-your-health