Does sunlight help depression? (2023)

Is sunlight good for depression?

Improved Mood

Getting some sun increases your serotonin and helps you stave off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and sun exposure can also help people with anxiety and depression, especially in combination with other treatments.

Exposure to sunlight increases the release of a hormone called serotonin in your brain, which is a chemical associated with boosting mood and helping you feel calmer and more focused, says Healthline.

Get enough time.

You should absorb light for about 30 minutes a day. You don't have to do it all at once, either.

While exposure to sunlight doesn't completely eliminate the risk of developing seasonal depression, it can go a long way in preventing and minimizing the impact it has. In fact, besides exposure to sunlight, one of the most commonly recommended treatments for seasonal depression is the use of a light therapy box.

Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression. Melatonin levels. The change in season can disrupt the balance of the body's level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.

The exact amount of exposure to sunlight needed to boost mood varies with each individual. Experts recommend 15 to 20 minutes of exposure to the face, arms and hands as a healthy daily minimum. While sunlight on the skin helps produce vitamin D, light entering through the eyes stimulates serotonin production.

After Six Months

With the lack of sun over time, you also could experience an extreme case of vitamin D deficiency. “There's a strong link between vitamin D deficiency and depression. The lack of it can cause inflammation and weaken your immune system,” says Gandhi.

“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” ― Glenn Close.

Without enough sun exposure, your serotonin levels can dip. Low levels of serotonin are associated with a higher risk of major depression with seasonal pattern (formerly known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD). This is a form of depression triggered by the changing seasons.

Does sunlight and vitamin D help with depression?

Studies have found that low vitamin D levels are linked to depression and that taking vitamin D supplements may help improve depression symptoms in people with low vitamin D levels. Fortunately, it's easy to get vitamin D by taking supplements, spending more time outside, and adding vitamin D-rich foods to your diet.

Our bodies produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight—about 15 minutes in the sun a day is adequate if you're fair skinned. And since Vitamin D helps your body maintain calcium and prevents brittle, thin, or misshapen bones, soaking in sun may be just what the doctor ordered.

The treatment: Get out in the sun at least 30-60 minutes a day, especially in the morning when research suggests that light is more effective at preventing SAD. You don't need to increase your risk of skin cancer because ”it isn't the sunlight that reaches our skin that wards off SAD.

Treatments for SAD

The main treatments are: lifestyle measures – including getting as much natural sunlight as possible, exercising regularly and managing your stress levels. light therapy – where a special lamp called a light box is used to simulate exposure to sunlight.

This craving may be a survival mechanism that evolved over thousands of years because humans need vitamin D to survive. Skin makes this crucial vitamin when it is exposed to sunlight.

How common is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)? About 5% of adults in the U.S experience SAD. It tends to start in young adulthood (usually between the ages of 18 and 30). SAD affects women more than men, though researchers aren't sure why.

Serotonin. Serotonin is another hormone that affects mood, appetite and sleep. It is also a neurotransmitter, which means that it transmits messages between nerve cells.

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is type of depression. It happens during certain seasons of the year—most often fall or winter. It is thought that shorter days and less daylight may trigger a chemical change in the brain leading to symptoms of depression. Light therapy and antidepressants can help treat SAD.

How long can you sunbathe? Some dermatologists believe that, as long as you don't have complications with usual sun exposure, you can sunbathe without sunscreen up to 20 minutes each day . To reduce the risk of sunburn, it may be best to stick to 5 to 10 minutes.

Regular sun exposure is the most natural way to get enough vitamin D. To maintain healthy blood levels, aim to get 10–30 minutes of midday sunlight, several times per week. People with darker skin may need a little more than this. Your exposure time should depend on how sensitive your skin is to sunlight.

What time is best to get sunlight?

To get an optimal vitamin D supplement from the sun at a minimal risk of getting cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), the best time of sun exposure is noon.

It depends on your skin tone, age, health history, diet, and where you live. In general, scientists think 5 to 15 minutes -- up to 30 if you're dark-skinned -- is about right to get the most out of it without causing any health problems. You can stay out longer and get the same effect if you use sunscreen.

Without enough exposure to the sun, your serotonin levels can dip. Lower levels of serotonin can pose a higher risk of depression and anxiety.

When sunlight enters your eyes, it stimulates the parts of your retina that then cue your brain to produce serotonin. Serotonin appears to play a role in regulating mood, emotions, appetite, and digestion.