Wellness Wednesdays

  Over the past 6 months, we have been through so much change and uncertainty and of course, it is not over yet. Slowly, we are beginning to adapt to ‘the new normal’ – it doesn’t seem as strange any more to see supermarkets and hospitals full of people wearing face coverings, it may now feel more normal not to hug our parents or vulnerable relatives and friends and to socialise in smaller groups. During the pandemic, we may have introduced positive lifestyle changes and even enjoyed the slower pace of life. As we near the reopening of schools next week, there is a sense, or a hope at least that this will signify another step towards regaining life as we once knew it. We are definitely in a time of transition, as individuals, as families, as a country and as members of a University community. But what impact has the pandemic had on our life stories?   In his recent NY Times Bestseller  How to Master Change , Bruce Feiler discusses how major disruptions or ‘lifequakes’ as he terms them,

This week’s topic is SUNSHINE.    The weather is beautiful this week, and so it seems fitting to focus on the benefits of sunlight to our wellness. Although the risk to our health from the sun is undeniable and we must cream-up for prolonged sun exposure, the World Health Organisation also recommends 5-15 minutes of sunshine on your arms, hands and face twice or three times a week for health benefits. Here’s why:    Sunlight is a natural mood booster  Sunlight lifts our mood by boosting serotonin levels in our body and reduces the risk of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If you notice a dip in your mood in the autumn and winter months, using an LED sunlight lamp first thing in the morning and around 4pm when light starts to decrease could really make a difference.   Sunlight improves sleep and lowers stress  Sunlight exposure during the day leads to the production of melatonin at night which aids restful sleep and reduces stress responses in the body during the day.     Sunlight is f