Study: Sunshine Improves Mood

Sunshine is an excellent source of much-needed vitamin D. Well, it technically doesn't contain vitamin D. Rather, exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays serves as a catalyst, prompting our bodies to produce its own vitamin D. Experts say that just 15 minutes of sunshine is more than enough to achieve the daily recommended amount of vitamin D. But there are other reasons to soak up the sun, such as its positive impact on mood and cognitive function.

Researchers from the Brigham Young University found a direct correlation between the amount of sunshine to which a person is exposed to and his or her mental/emotional health.

"That's one of the surprising pieces of our research," said Mark Beecher, one of the study's lead authors. "On a rainy day, or a more polluted day, people assume that they'd have more distress. But we didn't see that. We looked at solar irradiance, or the amount of sunlight that actually hits the ground. We tried to take into account cloudy days, rainy days, pollution ... but they washed out. The one thing that was really significant was the amount of time between sunrise and sunset."

Of course, this isn't the first study linking sun exposure to improved mood and cognitive function; several other studies have found similar results, attesting to the importance of daily sunshine. The problem, however, is that many people work in office jobs where they remain cooped up indoors for eight or more hours per day. And when you work in jobs such as this, you may not have the luxury of spending time outdoors. If this sounds like a familiar scenario, try going for walks during breaks. Even if it's just a short 10-minute break, spending that time outdoors can prove beneficial to your health, both physically and mentally.

As with most things in life, though, moderation is key to reaping the benefits of sun exposure without its harmful effects. Prolonged exposure to sunshine has been linked with an increase risk of skin cancer.

So, how do you reap the benefits of sun exposure without placing yourself at risk for skin cancer? For starters, make sure you wear a high-SPF sunscreen lotion. SPF measures the effectiveness of sunscreen lotion, indicating its ability to block out UV light. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection. You can also reduce your risk of skin cancer by avoiding peak sun hours, which is typically around 3 to 5 PM. These are just a few tips to soak up the sun while minimizing your risk of skin cancer.

This study was published in the journal of Affective Disorders.