Many of us have experienced it firsthand and everyone has heard about it: with the onset of the dark winter months, an increasing number of people are suffering from winter depression. Shorter days and less sunlight, not to mention our modern lifestyles where we spend most of our time indoors, lead to elevated melatonin levels during the day. The consequences can be lethargy, fatigue and winter depression. However, there is a very simple and proven remedy - UV light.
A team of dermatologists at the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany conducted a scientific study into the mood-enhancing effects of a sunbed session. 53 people between the ages of 18 to 57 years took part in this trial. As part of the trial, 42 participants used a sunbed six times over a period of three weeks. A control group consisting of 11 people were not exposed to any UV radiation. Prior to the first session and following the last session, all participants were asked to complete a standardised questionnaire.
An analysis of the completed questionnaires revealed that those participants who had used a sunbed felt much happier, less irritable and more satisfied with their appearance after six sessions of exposure to UV light. In contrast, the control group showed no such positive changes.
"UV light is not only essential for the production of Vitamin D. Sunbathing in moderation also has many other positive effects on health", explains Ad Brand of the Sunlight Research Forum. "As scientists have shown, solariums can even help to lift our spirits and prevent winter depression, especially in the period between October and March when the sun in many parts of Europe is too weak to do so."
Source:
Thilo Gambichler, Armin Bader, Mirjana Vojvodic, Falk G Bechara, Kirsten Sauermann, Peter Altmeyer and Klaus Hoffmann: Impact of UVA exposure on psychological parameters and circulating serotonin and melatonin, BMC Dermatol. 2002; 2: 6. Published online 2002 April 12. PMCID: PMC113771
A team of dermatologists at the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany conducted a scientific study into the mood-enhancing effects of a sunbed session. 53 people between the ages of 18 to 57 years took part in this trial. As part of the trial, 42 participants used a sunbed six times over a period of three weeks. A control group consisting of 11 people were not exposed to any UV radiation. Prior to the first session and following the last session, all participants were asked to complete a standardised questionnaire.
An analysis of the completed questionnaires revealed that those participants who had used a sunbed felt much happier, less irritable and more satisfied with their appearance after six sessions of exposure to UV light. In contrast, the control group showed no such positive changes.
"UV light is not only essential for the production of Vitamin D. Sunbathing in moderation also has many other positive effects on health", explains Ad Brand of the Sunlight Research Forum. "As scientists have shown, solariums can even help to lift our spirits and prevent winter depression, especially in the period between October and March when the sun in many parts of Europe is too weak to do so."
Source:
Thilo Gambichler, Armin Bader, Mirjana Vojvodic, Falk G Bechara, Kirsten Sauermann, Peter Altmeyer and Klaus Hoffmann: Impact of UVA exposure on psychological parameters and circulating serotonin and melatonin, BMC Dermatol. 2002; 2: 6. Published online 2002 April 12. PMCID: PMC113771
