Weathers Affect on Mood

Does the weather affect our mood? I know I feel uplifted by a sunny day, especially days like we have been getting where it's not too cold or hot. Family, friends and former patients have reported feeling the same way. What is it about the sun that uplifts us. Many musicians have been inspired to write songs about sunshine or use sunshine as a positive analogy. To name a few:

Sunshine on my Shoulders

John Denver

Walking on Sunshine

Katrina and the waves

Good day Sunshine and

Here comes the Sun

The Beatles

You are the Sunshine of my Life

Stevie Wonder

Let the Sunshine in

The 5th Dimension

Pocketful of Sunshine

Natasha Bedingfield

Sunshine

One Republic

Soak up the Sun

Sheryl Crow

What is it in sunshine that creates this love and adoration. We all know the sun is a major supplier of vitamin D. This is one of the bodies super nutrients and important for its functioning. Vitamin D is needed to assist with absorption of calcium. This is important to keep our bones strong. It also has many other roles in the body such as, reduction of inflammation, modulation of processes like cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and glucose metabolism. We could see why the body would respond positively to the sun. I know I am more motivated to go for a walk, hike or do planting out on my balcony on a sunny day. Movement attached to a task we enjoy helps to release endorphins and relax the body. The body also releases melatonin (a naturally occurring hormone) in response to darkness. This is to assist the body with sleep. When it starts to get dark the pineal gland starts to release melatonin, so we start to feel tired and prepare for sleep. It might explain why we feel more alert and have more energy on sunny days and can be fatigued on rainy days. I do believe all weather has its purpose. We need the rain and snow to replenish the earths water supply, water vegetation and helps to decrease brush fires. It also gives us appreciation for the sun when it appears. I remember one summer we received a lot of rain, and we rejoiced when the sun finally appeared. We savored every day we saw the sun. It became a topic of discussion upon its arrival. It was not taken for granted that year.

If you can't go out right now, let's try a little experiment. I want you to close your eyes and visualize being the sun. You can be any place you want, the beach, city, Italian countryside. Whatever resonates with you and relaxes you. Really bring in the visualization with all your senses. For example, if you are at the beach feel sand underfoot, hear the waves and seagulls, and feel the warmth of the sunshine on your skin. This helps the brain believe it is really happening. See if the visualization affects your mood. Does it help to relax you? When you visualize you are in the sunshine and in a place, you enjoy, does this assist your body with relaxation? Take some deep breaths during the visualization. These further cues the body to relax. There are no right or wrong answers, just notice. If it does help you to relax you, use it as a free tool when overwhelmed. Do it prior to walking into a stressful situation or need to think clearly. The brain function is optimized when we are relaxed.

If the sunshine uplifts your mood or helps you to relax, your immune function is enhanced. Our immune function is enhanced when we are in our parasympathetic nervous system. This is the relaxation phase of the body. It is also why when we are sick, we might need more sleep or not have the same amount of energy. The body is cueing what it needs to recover. It does not matter what physiological component is. I think sunshine is a free gift the earth shares with us, so take advantage. Take a break and go for a walk, open the windows and let in fresh air or just take a moment to notice sun streaming through the window. In the rush of our everyday life let's take a pause notice and be appreciative of the suns love. #nature#mindbody#wellness#health#sunshine#holistichealth