United Way: Wishing you sunshine during these winter days
Remember that old John Denver song “Sunshine on My Shoulders”? He sings that it (sunshine) feels so lovely and makes him happy. Recently, we have had a little more sunshine in our Michigan winter. Many people in my sphere of influence have mentioned lately how GOOD the sunshine feels — even if the temperature is still chilly. The state of Michigan only averages 180 days of sunshine (51% of expected daylight hours), and December is the month with the least amount of sunshine, averaging 82 hours. July is the sunniest in Michigan with 318 hours. Michigan is in the top 10 cloudiest states.
I recently visited the state of Arizona, and I noticed the abundant sunshine with clear, blue skies. It was a little colder than usual there, only the mid-60s, but the sunshine was wonderful. Only one day was cloudy with a little bit of rain. I researched Arizona sunshine data, and I found it is the sunniest state at 85% annual sunshine. Arizona is ahead of Hawaii (71%) and California (68%). I guess Arizona was good choice for a winter break! The constant sunshine seemed good for my soul.
But is sunshine good for the soul? The research does indeed confirm sunshine is good for the soul and promotes good health, too. Exposure to sunlight improves the serotonin (hormone) levels which boosts moods, helping a person feel calm and focused. In fact, the light-induced effects of serotonin are triggered by sunlight that goes in through the eye. Sunlight cues special areas in the retina, which triggers the release of serotonin. With a lack of sunshine, your serotonin levels can dip. Low levels of serotonin are associated with a higher risk of major depression with seasonal pattern (formerly known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD). This is a form of depression triggered by the changing seasons. I relate to this as my “winter blahs” and probably explains why the sunshine felt so good the past couple of weeks. Anxiety-related disorders and panic attacks have also been linked with changing seasons and reduced sunlight.
Besides boosting your mood, there are other benefits of sunshine (as suggested via www.goodrx.com ):
1. Sunlight kills bacteria. Indoor environments can contain dust that carries different types of bacteria — some of which can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. One study found that sunlight can kill the bacteria that lives in dust. In this particular study, 12% of bacteria survived in dark rooms, but only 6% of dust bacteria survived after they were exposed to sunlight. What does this mean for you? Open those shades and windows and let more sunlight into your home. By doing so, you may improve your home’s air quality, as the sun’s UV rays kill bacteria that live in dust.
2. Sunlight may reduce high blood pressure. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is linked to many health problems, including heart attack, stroke and kidney damage. One research study showed that exposure to sunlight lowered systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) in people with kidney failure on dialysis. Researchers suggest that this may be due to the ability of UV light to increase the availability of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a molecule in the body that can cause your blood vessels to widen and, as a result, lower your blood pressure.
3. Sunlight can regulate the immune system. UV light isn’t the only thing that makes sunlight so beneficial for your body. Being exposed to sunlight also enables your body to make vitamin D from cholesterol in your skin cells. Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D has many perks, including the ability to regulate your immune system. A regulated immune system helps your body fight off infections.
4. Sunlight strengthens bones. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which is essential for bone health. This can help prevent conditions like osteoporosis and osteopenia. Good bone health can prevent bone fractures (breaks).
5. Sunlight can improve sleep quality. Exposure to the sun plays a big role in maintaining your body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm. Generally, your circadian rhythm responds to the sun’s light/dark cycle, helping you fall asleep at night (when there’s darkness) and wake up in the morning (when there’s light). Consider using the sun’s light/dark cycle to improve your sleep hygiene. For instance, experts recommend getting bright light in the morning to increase your chances of falling asleep earlier in the evening. Getting some sunshine in the morning can help you sleep because it increases your melatonin levels. Melatonin plays a key role in regulating the body’s circadian rhythm and helping you sleep when it gets dark.
So sunshine is a good thing. Get it while you can! You might even be “Walking on Sunshine” with Katrina and the Waves (circa 1983). And, in the immortal words of my all-time favorite band, the Beatles, “Good Day, Sunshine” (circa 1966).
Please note that you can still register for our 21-Week Racial Equity Challenge that began Jan. 16 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) and continues through June 19 (Juneteenth). The challenge is a self-guided learning journey designed to deepen participants’ understanding of and willingness to confront racial equity issues. Participants can register at www.unitedwayMLC.org.
We currently fund a total of 25 local agency programs in Monroe County. See our website, www.unitedwayMLC.org, for a list of those agencies. We appreciate your support to help fight poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, mental health and substance use disorders, domestic violence and other important community needs. Our direct services include the 211 Health and Human Services Hotline, Project Ramp, Health Check and the 21-Week Racial Equity Challenge.
For more information about giving and living united, please contact us. Call us at 734-242-1331, email lpipis@unitedwaymlc.org, mail a contribution or visit us at 216 N. Monroe St., Monroe, MI 48162, or visit our website at www.unitedwaymlc.org. Visit our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok social media platforms, too.
Laura Schultz Pipis is the executive director of the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: United Way: Wishing you sunshine during these winter days
