Sunshine, Smartphones and the Chemistry of Feeling Good
If you’re in the UK this week, you’ve probably noticed two things.
Firstly, it’s hot.
Secondly, we cannot stop talking about it!
While many of us are desperately searching for shade, fans and ice cream, this spell of sunshine may be doing more for our wellbeing than we realise.
Exposure to sunlight helps our brains produce serotonin, a chemical messenger associated with happiness, calmness and focus. It’s one of the reasons many people notice their mood lifting on bright, sunny days. We feel a little lighter, a little more positive and often more energised.
Compare that with what happens when we reach for our phones.
Every notification, message, like or email gives us a small hit of dopamine. Dopamine is the brain’s motivation and reward chemical. The problem is that the boost doesn’t last and yet it’s a pretty addictive feeling and we want more of it so we seek out more of whatever just gave us that little boost. Before we know it, we’re checking our phones again. And again. And again.
Did you know, the average person checks their phone about 96 to 144 times a day, which breaks down to picking it up roughly once every 10 minutes during waking hours.
It’s a bit like eating a single crisp and then wondering where the rest of the packet went.
Sunshine works differently. Rather than giving us a brief reward spike, it supports the production of serotonin, helping us feel calmer, more balanced and more focused over time.
So, while it’s tempting to spend every spare moment scrolling through social media this week, take 10 minutes outside. I can highly recommend early morning – I’ve been taking my dog for a swim down at the local lake and it’s a glorious time of day.
Your brain may thank you for swapping a few dopamine hits for a little serotonin.
Inevitably the sunshine will disappear and we’ll back to cold rainy weather before you know it!
