A recent study suggests that low daytime light exposure is a major environmental risk factor for shittier mood. Among other things that are not great for our health.
“UK Biobank participants reported spending a median of 2.5 daylight hours outdoors per day. Each additional hour spent outdoors during the day was associated with lower odds of lifetime major depressive disorder, antidepressant usage, less frequent anhedonia[1] and low mood, greater happiness and lower neuroticism, independent of demographic, lifestyle, and employment covariates.”
“In addition, each hour of daytime light was associated with greater ease of getting up, less frequent tiredness, fewer insomnia symptoms, and earlier chronotype[2]”.
[1] inability to feel pleasure. Yep, I had to Google that one.
[2] a person’s natural inclination with regard to the times of day when they prefer to sleep or when they are most alert or energetic. Yep, I sure did Google that one too.
-J