Medical Science Finds Links Between Health, Happiness and Seasonal Changes

After the long months of winter, spring is a welcome visitor to many people around the world.
We look forward to longer days, and warmer temperatures, the blooming of flowers, and the buds returning to the trees.
Today, medical Science is giving us new insight as to the many factors that may contribute to the change in mood and outlook, that spring-time often brings us.

While there is still much work to do towards discovering all of the health benefits we receive from exposure to sunlight, medical science has made some significant discoveries in the past few decades.

SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, is a form of depression that affects many people during the winter months. Occurring annually anytime from September through April, people affected by this mental health disorder experience severe mood changes, loss of energy, and often have physical symptoms that correlate with the on-set of the disorder. Studies have shown that SAD directly impacts populations based on location and latitude. Communities located in areas where winter months are coldest, and the duration of winter longest, experience a much higher rate of Seasonal Affective Disorder diagnosis.

Many studies are currently being conducted on the impact of exposure to sunlight and mental health. New evidence suggests that sunlight exposure affects secretion of chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, which directly impact an individuals mood and sense of well-being. Evidence also suggests that exposure to sunlight affects glandular production, and changes in the endocrine system, which directly contribute to the healthy function of the human brain.

It has long been known that sunlight has an impact on how the body absorbs and uses certain vitamins and minerals, with Vitamin D being the most widely known. Studies have shown that exposure to sunlight for as little as 10 minutes a week helps the body to efficiently utilize Vitamin D. With this information, there is much room for speculation as to what other affects the sun has on the human body, as a whole.

Medical Science has also demonstrated the impact of physical activity on both mental and physical health. During winter months, especially in climates where the weather is forbidding, many people do not engage in the same amount of physical activity, as they would do in summer months. This also may have a direct impact on the seasonal mental and physical health changes being observed in many colder climates.

As Scientists continue to work toward discovery of the many ways in which human life and health is affected by seasonal change, we may find that we are looking forward to more than just the coming of spring. Medical breakthroughs may be just around the corner, as we learn to harness many of the natural health benefits of sunlight and exercise. Unconventional treatments such as photo-therapy, and light therapy are currently finding their way into more and more conventional health care facilities. As we ponder the coming of spring, which always symbolizes new life and new hope, we are only beginning to discover the extent of it's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual impact on our lives.