Taking a Swim, Soaking Up Sun
Two favorite leisure activities for summer weather, I don’t get the opportunity to take a swim very often, but it is always so surprisingly relaxing when I do. There is something about being in the water, maybe it’s lightening the effects of gravity, I don’t know, but it puts the mind at ease while exercising the body.
My favorite venue, of course, is an ocean side, but a large lake, and even a swimming pool will do. The best possible world being a light breeze with the blue sky overhead. Can’t you just picture it now? There is a reason this is part and parcel of many a vacation.
There has been some research on the effects of soaking up a bit of sun, despite the warnings to not overdo it.
“There are certain neurotransmitters and hormones, such as melatonin, that we know are susceptible to light-induced changes and influence behavior,” -Melinda LaGarce
Sunshine for the Mind:
“melatonin seems to exert broader roles in mood…early morning exposure to intense light, such as by walking outside for 20 minutes, can also reset the body’s production of melatonin so it increases, as it should, in the evening”
“selecting healthier foods, spending more time outdoors, and taking one or two natural anti-depressant nutrients can part the emotional clouds and brighten your life”
