sunshine

my friend, elizabeth, and i were talking about how much easier it is to be in a good mood when the sun is shining. there is actually a reason for that! serotonin (the hormone associated with elevated mood) increases when exposed to bright light. sunshine is a natural anti-depressant. conversely, melatonin (the sleep hormone) increases as light fades, so nights and cloudy days can make us sleepy.

now i know why i haven't felt so cheery lately (besides the usual frustrations). this spring has not been consistently sunny. today in fact, the clouds keep coming and going. while i love the cool temperatures, i'm looking forward to more sun filled days!

for now, i'll have to focus on the light inside me.
hope you feel it when you see my smile.