Lighten Up
New Zealand Listener|June 16-22 2018

Exposure to sunshine at this time of year not only lifts our mood but also strengthens our bones.

Ruth Nichol
Lighten Up

We can’t wind back the clock to the early 19th century when most people spent their days working outside and their nights in darkness illuminated only by a few candles – and who would want to, anyway?

Yet although modern life is much more comfortable and convenient – light at the flick of a switch; warm, dry workplaces; weatherproof vehicles – our bodies are designed to live in a different way. They need regular exposure to outdoor light to function properly.

International studies suggest we spend 90% or more of our time inside and that’s taking a toll on our health, sleep and mood.

The good news is it’s possible to offset the effects of our indoor lifestyle without having to live like our ancestors did. Going outside after breakfast can help regulate sleeping patterns all year round, and getting some winter sun in the middle of the day can boost flagging vitamin D levels. Sunlight may also lift our mood. Several studies have found that people have higher levels of serotonin – a brain chemical linked to mood – on sunny days than on cloudy ones.

Our bodies make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to the ultraviolet B (UVB) rays in sunlight. Vitamin D is important for strong, healthy bones because it helps us absorb calcium and it also helps boost our immune system.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEW ZEALAND LISTENERView all
First-world problem
New Zealand Listener

First-world problem

Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Applying intelligence to AI
New Zealand Listener

Applying intelligence to AI

I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Nazism rears its head
New Zealand Listener

Nazism rears its head

Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Staying ahead of the game
New Zealand Listener

Staying ahead of the game

Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Grasping the nettle
New Zealand Listener

Grasping the nettle

Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Hangry? Eat breakfast
New Zealand Listener

Hangry? Eat breakfast

People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Chemical reaction
New Zealand Listener

Chemical reaction

Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Me and my guitar
New Zealand Listener

Me and my guitar

Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Time is on my side
New Zealand Listener

Time is on my side

Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?

time-read
7 mins  |
September 9, 2024
The kids are not alright
New Zealand Listener

The kids are not alright

Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024