The Care and Feeding of Humans in Winter by Ged Bryon , M.Ed. Well, here we are. The Holidays are roaring up on us and we are rapidly heading into the deep and dark of winter. It is wise to pay special attention now to our physical and emotional needs since many things that nurture us at other times of the year are out of reach.
Science has an amusing way of finally catching up with cultural wisdom.
That's right, simply by being out in the sunlight we release chemicals that give us a significant emotional lift. Sun glasses are fine if we expect over exposure that could cause eye damage but they are lousy for making cheerful connections with others and getting those rods and cones stimulated. The temptation on a gray, damp, cold day is to snug up indoors and try to keep warm. Almost without exception when I get myself outdoors on a lousy day I discover that the day is a great deal more pleasant than it looks from inside. No need to stay out for hours.