Soaking up the sun boosts moods

We've all been longing for a certain something to help rid ourselves of that winter depression. Gloomy days and non-stop rain make leaving the house for class that much more wearisome, particularly for those graduating.  But suddenly, going to school and work isn't such a drag; people seem happy and vibrant.  The sun is finally out! Students are basking in the sun and school spirit seems to have risen in the matter of one week.  It's no wonder sun is proven to reduce depression.  But how exactly? And why?   

According to William Collinge, "people's moods are influenced by a complex web of relationships between sunlight, melatonin (the sleep hormone) and serotonin (the hormone associated with wakefulness and elevated mood)."  As the night starts to creep, your melatonin levels increase, whereas they decrease when morning light arrives. When exposed to bright light serotonin levels increase.  Collinge says that "serotonin is the basis of today's most popular and successful antidepressant drugs, called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs work by helping naturally produced serotonin stay in the bloodstream longer, keeping your mood and energy levels higher." 

Claire La Presle, an SSU Sophomore, remembers the best summer of her life was spent surfing and spending all day in the sun.  "Everyone seems to get along better when the sun is out.  I felt easily irritated this winter because I was getting sick of the clouds and the rain." Finally after a long winter, the sun is out and everyone seems to be smiling. 

Sounds easy enough to fix depression in that sense, doesn't it?  Just hop on a plane and head to the islands.  Soak up a few rays and you're good to go! According to the research conducted by Dr. Timo Partonen and his colleagues at the University of Helsinki's National Public Health Institute in Finland, the light you soak up in the summer may well be just the ticket (no pun intended) to a less depressing winter.  As a person's body soaks in what is called cholecarciferol, a transformation occurs and Vitamin D is produced.  This vitamin aids in the bodily storage of serotonin throughout the year. 

Jamie Krist, a future Sonoma State Student said, "The sun always makes me happy and keeps me warm.  I always feel more positive about my life when the sun's out."  So, keep your heads up Sonoma State students. Take advantage of this beautiful weather and don't forget your sunscreen. The sun is out and summer is on it's way!