Although the effectiveness of light therapy has already been studied, the role of natural sunlight is still underestimated.
People who enjoy the sun often report better moods, more energy, and vitality in bright daylight. This trait is influenced by genes, life experiences, climate, and culture. Those who avoid the sun may experience discomfort from bright light or prefer dimly lit spaces.
Although the attachment to the sun resonates with seasonal moods and light sensitivity, it is not considered a disease. In ecological psychology, it helps explain the love for walks and the preference for bright rooms. In medicine, a moderate attraction to the sun can support vitamin D synthesis and a stable sleep pattern.
Researchers studied how the love for sunlight is related to depression and sleep problems in men in the United States. They assessed two components: how much participants prefer to be in the sun and how much time they spend outdoors. Scientists note that while the effectiveness of light therapy has already been studied, the role of natural sunlight is still underestimated.
The analysis included data from 7,306 men from the NHANES program – a large national project in the U.S. that collects information about lifestyle, health, and disease prevalence. The study included men aged 20-59 who provided all the necessary data. Their attachment to the sun, signs of depression (using the PHQ-9 scale), sleep complaints, and sleep duration were assessed.
The tendency towards sunlight was determined by responses to the question of whether participants stay in the shade on very sunny days, as well as by the time they spent outdoors from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM over the past month. The analysis showed that men who more often choose to be in the sun experience symptoms of depression less frequently and visit doctors less often for sleep problems – even though they sleep slightly less on average.
Men who are more drawn to sunlight and enjoy spending time in the sun face symptoms of depression less often. They also complain less about sleep disturbances, although they typically sleep a little less. These findings were published in the journal PLOS ONE.
The study introduces a new concept – "tendency towards sunlight." It describes how much a person seeks natural light and enjoys it. The indicator combines both psychological preferences (love for the sun) and actual habits (time spent outdoors). This tendency is linked to biological mechanisms – circadian rhythms, levels of melatonin, and serotonin.
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