Power Of Sunshine

My current Zombie-like appearance has everything to do with neglect and not taking time for myself. I can't promote health if I look like the living dead. Can't network, look for a part-time job, or experiment with new venues given my appearance. So not only am I a zombie, I am  hermit as well. It's happened before, usually takes a month or so to start feeling like I have a breath of life in me.  For 2 years, 3 days a week I have been  locked in a 9x6 windowless space, never seeing the light of day. Arriving before sunrise and leaving after the sun sets. (I wasn't kidding when I said I live in a cave). I suspect I am not the only person who is subject to a job like this, or that I am not the only one who lives in the dark (think of factory workers, office workers, hospital patients, nursing home patients....)

The sun has a lot to do with how you look and feel. Maybe that's why people with tans are viewed as healthier. Sunlight triggers a reaction in your brain to make the "happy hormone" Serotonin. It boosts your immune system to activate Vitamin D, The change in light at the end of the day also signals your brain to make growth hormone to repair your body and melatonin to help you sleep. (Melatonin is also a potent booster of natural killer cells, and it has a profound impact on sex hormones, so sleep helps your body in more ways than one).

I had a yearly habit of using a tanning booth twice a week in the dead of winter to get light and not much of a tan. I skipped that this year. I remembered that the last time I had this condition. it cleared with the arrival of spring and longer days. maybe it's time to enlighten my paleface. 6 minutes in the stand up booth made a tremendous difference in my skin. My eyes appeared to be healing a few hours later. Maybe converting the Vitamin D is the ticket. (If you want to see a very entertaining Vitamin D lecture see Dr Holick's awesome lecture at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq1t9WqOD-0

 

We all tend to be slaves to our jobs and committed to a hectic work ethic life. But no job is worth your health or your life or stealing time from your loved ones. Get some sunshine, go outside and play.