Why We Feel Better in Summer?
Have you ever wonder why you feel happier and more energetic in the summer?
Longer days, sunnier and brighter days, holidays, stone fruits, more social parties, delicious summer veggies, laughing friends, travelling … It’s hard not to love summer season.
Although I often feel more sleepy and sluggish during holidays, I always attribute this to the difference of altitude and the calming sea energy. But in general every one is more energetic and less stressed this time of the year. The reasons of this effect according to science are:
We consume more vegetables and fresh fruits
Heavy meal doesn’t really appeal in hot days, so our plates fulfill with fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables. These foods are rich in vitamins and nutrients that boost our immune system, mood and brain.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is super important for our mood and brain. Many of us suffer vitamin D deficiency during cold season. But in summer the sunshine vitamin is easier to access since the sun shines brighter and you also spend more time outside in the sun.
You get better sleep
All that time spent outdoors, relaxing, exercising and enjoying, make you get into bed more tired but satisfied than usual. That’s why you rest better. When you admire the beautiful sunsets in summer, the brain get a signal, from the sun going down, to produce more melatonin, the sleepy-time hormone, leading to good nights sleeps.
You socialize more
During winter you tend to work and go home, few parties or events are held except winter holidays. In summer we always find an excuse to stay outside, we meet friends for a cold drink after work, we organize garden parties, picnics and even spend more time in nature. Studies have shown that walking in nature produce more positive thoughts, and not really wonder why, green, the smell of fresh flowers, the silence of a loose path in the mountains… experiencing all this make happy to everyone!!
So as science says, weather is important for our mood and health, but not the only reason of our happiness. There are many other things affecting us as our social life and relationships, our diet or exercise.