Lifestyle: getting sun in the winter

Self-tutoring about lifestyle during a mild winter: the tutor reflects.

I am a believer that sunlight makes one feel better, especially after days without it. Therefore, at this time of year, when the weather is sunny and the temp tolerable, I try to do some work outside in a short-sleeve shirt in order to maximize the benefit of the sunshine.

I recall years ago, around April, seeing a group of construction workers whose tans were so dark it was surprising. Yet, it seemed unlikely they spent time in tanning beds. However, it had been a mild year. Days when the weather was nice, possibly just in the afternoon, they had taken their coats off while working, if only to avoid getting too hot. Those days in the sun, even during the winter and early spring, had the combined effect of a deep tan by mid April or so.

Yesterday, the temp was around 8°C and sunny during the early afternoon. It cooled down pretty quickly by around 4pm, as I recall. Yet, those couple of hours in the sun felt rejuvenative.