Summer is my season, I feel happier, more relaxed, focused on the things I really appreciate and stronger. Is this just a coincidence? I don’t believe so, because every summer is the same and the feelings go on repeat. It is amazing to feel the sun on my skin, swim in clear waters and let my mind flow. I have so many thoughts, that during winter become so confused. And summer takes them to the right place. It turns out that there actually are scientific reasons you’re happier in the summer; the warm weather and your sunny mood are no coincidence. It’s rather common to feel more satisfied during the hotter, brighter months, and when this season gives way to the longer, darker days of winter (depending on where you live, of course), we’ll once again experience a shift.
There’s something about waking up to sunshine, birds chirping, and warm air that puts many of us in a better mood. But why do we notice such a shift in our feelings and emotions when the seasons change? For me it’s all about holidays and having the amazing chance to travel. I love to go, pack my things and just leave. I love airports, planes, hotels and rich breakfasts in the morning. I just start to think about these factors and I feel immediately better, a new person. What is crucial for me, is to leave my working space and people I meet every day. Yes, I use to be a very happy person, but I need also to change and let everything behind.
Of course there are also other reasons for this summer happiness. First of all the number of hours of daytime and nighttime have been found to have an effect on how and when we sleep. During the hot season we sleep more, better and in another way. Our eating habits change in the summer too; the food is better, healthier and not so fat, which let us think in a better way. One study found that both our eating habits and our body weight change by season, with people consuming on average 86 more calories each day in the fall, compared to spring.
Even if we hear and read very much about the risks associated with sun exposure, catching sun rays is like finding some excellent food for the soul. It is crucial to enjoy the sunlight, listen to the waves nearby the sea, walk barefoot and let everything behind. And let’s not forget Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, a type of depression which is generally much more common in the winter than in the summer. A widely accepted solution to this depression is greater exposure to natural light.
Summer, we love you!
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