Why the sun makes us all feel happier !

Well at last Summer seems to be finally here, after such a long Winter I thought it was never going to arrive. Just a few hours of sunshine and blue skies seem to have a big effect on everyone. People are smiling and happy, sunglasses, summer dresses and flip flops are on and my legs are finally getting some sun after a long winter of tights and trousers. I just love summer clothes !!


So why do we all feel happier when the sun comes out to play ?? The reason for this is that sunlight stimulates serotonin and melatonin production in the brain. Serotonin helps maintain a ‘happy feeling’ and this hormone is the basis of antidepressant drugs called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Meanwhile, melatonin regulates sleep, so having lower levels of this hormone gives you more ‘get up and go’. This is why you need less sleep in summer but still feel livelier. Plus, being woken by natural light rather than an alarm clock helps you feel more positive.


This explains why all Winter I struggle to get out of bed, but this week I have been up at 6.30 -7 and spent a lovely few hours before work, walking the dog, pottering in the garden and enjoying breakfast in the garden before opening the shop.

What do you like to do in the sunshine ? Barbecue, picnic, swim in the sea ? I love to have an ice-cream from Knickerbockers on the harbour and sit on the bench admiring the view. This one was a New york cheese cake flavour and of course flake and waffle is obligatory, and I have to say it was DELICIOUS !!

Laughed at this Vintage image is she trying to keep warm ? 

Whatever you enjoy doing in the sunshine, lets hope we get many more days so we all get a bit happier !