In A Funk? Why Experts Say Sunshine Could Be The Cure

Your Next Excuse For A Sunny Vacation

What if your doctor's next prescription didn't come in a bottle? What if, instead, it came with sunglasses, in the form of a vacation?

According to experts, getting out into the sunshine, whether it’s during spring break, a summer getaway or even a mid-winter escape, can have powerful effects on both mental and physical well-being.

So How Does It Work?

Many people immediately think of vitamin D when they think of sunshine. But Dr. Allison Edwards, family physician and medical director for the telemedicine platform Sesame, says the most important benefit actually starts in the brain.

“Sunny days, and being exposed to outdoor sun, are associated with so much positive energy, like reductions in depression, anxiety, rumination, all of those sort of negative thoughts that you can harbor when it gets kind of cold and you’re holed up all winter," she said.

There’s also a biological reason spending time in the sunshine feels so energizing.

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“The sun is so important to give us cues as to how we should go about our day,” she said. “Your eyes actually have special sensors that receive sunlight in a specific way that help regulate circadian rhythms, that sort of sleep and wake cycle.”

That’s why waking up to sunshine can feel dramatically different than waking up in the dark. A few days in a sunny environment can help reset sleep patterns, improve energy levels and even make mornings feel easier.

For people who live in places where winter drags on, or where spring is still cloudy and cold, Edwards says planning a sunny trip can make a real difference.

“Use it as a good excuse to go somewhere warm and sunny because it will definitely boost your mood,” she said. “That has been borne out in study after study.”

In other words, a warm-weather trip isn’t indulgent. It can genuinely help reverse the emotional and physical effects of months without sunlight.

Sun Safety Still Matters

One of the biggest misconceptions, Edwards says, is that people have to sit directly in the sun for hours to get the benefits. In reality, simply being exposed to good weather for short periods of time can be enough.

That means a shaded patio, a beach umbrella or a breezy walk along the boardwalk can still deliver the mood-boosting benefits without increasing your risk of sun damage.

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Edwards emphasizes that a “prescribed” sunny vacation doesn’t mean ignoring sun safety.

“Some of the best sun protection you could get is a UV protective shirt. Get a light-colored one so it’s not super hot, and a super wide-brim hat," she said.

The key idea is to enjoy the sunshine without overdoing it.

As Edwards puts it, sunshine is “important on so many levels for mood, for your sleep, for your circadian rhythm. It is so wonderful to have a sunny day. You should really lean into it.”

Which is why, for some patients, a sunny vacation might be exactly what the doctor ordered.

weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.