Working in the Arts and Media is stressful on the body, as well as the mind. Work is challenging and to keep going demands energy with clarity, no matter the demands. Adding fresh air and sunshine will help with those needs. There are studies that sunshine helps stimulate a hormone called serotonin which regulates mood and energy in the brain. Your regular dose of sunshine does not need to be direct sunlight or lying on a beach, it can be sitting comfortably on a chair in the shade doing some reading or working on a tablet.
More studies have also proven how vitamin D works in the body, during the past 2 years hospitals in Spain have studied the immune system and vitamin D, and the discovery was those who got regular fresh air and sunshine had a more robust immune system including higher levels of vitamin D deep in the intestines’. Which has also had findings in the research that the body produces more of this much needed vitamin, when outside on regular intervals.
Stress
Stress is a normal part of everyday life, it can become an issue when you feel overwhelmed. Creating some space during the day for fresh air and sunshine helps reduce stress, it’s not as hard as people think it is to squeeze into a busy schedule. An example would be taking a laptop or tablet outside, even if under shade or under cover if raining, will still have benefits that will increase the immune system while also allowing the body to produce hormones that lift the mood. Serotonin is the buzz word at the moment in health, science, and overall mental health. This is good news for people who work in The Arts and creative industry, as the elevation of stress helps problem solving, provides energy, and an overall job improvement.
Energy
The body is organic, it can’t be locked away in the dark and expected to work properly. The other bonus is making the sunshine thing a regular habit energy improves as well as the immune system. Keep goals simple, add 5-15 minutes of sunshine a few times a week, it makes a difference to quality of sleep too. Before embarking on a new regime, a doctor or pharmacist can give tips on medication, sunlight and using too much sunblock. If energy is a real problem blood tests can check vitamin D levels and other hormones in the blood to check the source of the problem.
Keeping It Simple
Don’t stress about it “oh no, I have to spend time outside, something else to do.”
Combine things, such as walking the dog or a walk with a friend one day, reading outside for half an hour on another day, on another spend time outside when doing a bit of emailing, spending time with family outside. Just a few things nearly covers the week and it does help the immune system too.
Just be sensible with tasks, avoiding extreme weather.
Unless your into cold sports as pictured above.
What We Know
We now have over 100 years of data on the benefits of fresh air. When a bad influenza hit in 1918, places didn’t have enough beds for patients, they came to the conclusion that open air areas for patients would work. Open air areas were tents with camping beds and lots of blankets to keep patients warm. The patients in the tents recovered at a higher percentage than those inside. People practicing self care often forget that a little bit of fresh air and sunshine each day can make a big difference to their quality of life. Just keep those habits simple.
Further Reading
Get Your Gorgeous On 