“Being out in the sun, we are starting to understand, can lower blood pressure, calm our immune system and even alter our mood. Even without such knowledge, most of us are instinctively drawn to sunlight because sitting in it just feels so great, and there may be a reason for that: when the sunlight hits our skin, our bodies release endorphins, the same 'feel good' hormones that produce a runner's high.” SunSunshineSunlightEndorphins Book:Chasing the Sun: The New Science of Sunlight and How it Shapes Our Bodies and Minds Source: Chasing the Sun: The New Science of Sunlight and How it Shapes Our Bodies and Minds
“Endorphin release could be another means by which sun exposure reduces the risk of heart disease: by promoting feelings of relaxation, it may combat the negative effects of stress on the heart. Endorphins also activate the reward system, a pathway in the brain that triggers feelings of pleasure in response to specific stimuli -- in this case sun exposure -- encouraging us to seek them out again. Some regular sunbed users even exhibit physical withdrawal symptoms, similar to those associated with coming off heroin, if they stop tanning.” SunHeart Disease Book:Chasing the Sun: The New Science of Sunlight and How it Shapes Our Bodies and Minds Source: Chasing the Sun: The New Science of Sunlight and How it Shapes Our Bodies and Minds