Let the Sunshine In S


tudies have shown that increasing the amount of sunlight streaming through your windows and doors can make you happier and healthier,


and even add years your life.


A recent study at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, revealed that, when our skin is exposed to sunlight, our bodies release nitric oxide, a compound that helps to lower blood pressure, into our blood, lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. Findings from studies conducted at the Baker Heart Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia show that sunlight also boosts serotonin—a neurotransmiter that regulates mood: Te more sunlight there is the happier people feel. Conversely, people who live in places where there is less sunlight suffer higher rates of depression. A similar study showed that sunlight increased natural antidepressant levels in the brain. And, because mood is related to stress, it is no surprise that researchers from Te University of Pitsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University found that patients who had undergone surgery reported feeling less stress and took less pain medication aſterward when they were placed in rooms with bright sunlight than did patients who weren’t exposed to sunlight.


Nutritionists have long known that our bodies me- tabolize sunlight to produce vitamin D, which reduces the risk of cancer, particularly of the breast and colon. And patients who have higher levels of vitamin D when diagnosed with cancer, are nearly twice as likely to sur- vive, than those with the lowest levels. Recent studies have also associated low vitamin D levels with oxida- tion of the brain’s proteins, which may lead to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin D also boosts calcium absorption and is therefore associated with strong bone and muscle development, prevents bone diseases, fractures and osteoporosis. Other studies suggest that vitamin D reduces the risk of developing diabetes, is linked to a lower incidence of cataracts, and boosts the immune system.


Sunlight has also been shown to help cure skin diseases like psoriasis. And for insomniacs, sunlight


helps them get to sleep at night by shuting down the body’s daytime production of melatonin, a hormone, that triggers drowsiness and induces sleep. When exposed to natural sunlight during the day, the body increases its production of melatonin at night.


Dr. Michael Holick, at Boston University School of Medicine, recommends that people get at least 20 to 30 minutes of exposure to natural sunlight without applying sunscreen several times a week. Other health-care gurus advise people to get at least some sun exposure every day. Aſter only a few minutes of sunlight, test subjects have registered a surge of endorphins and a significant drop in blood pressure.


Ways to Enhance Sun Exposure and the Beauty and Quality of Your Home Clearly, there are many health benefits to geting a dose of sun each day but this can be a logistical challenge for many of us.


Not so for John Tabor, president of Tabor Design Build. “I get plenty of exposure to natural sunlight while I’m cooking, watching television., and even taking a bath,” says Tabor. “My house has been remodeled to allow natural sunlight to virtually pour into every room except for the closets and laundry room,” he adds. Tabor claims that one of his specialties is “remodeling for maximum sun exposure.”


“When people think of geting more natural light into their home, they typically think of a screened or glassed-in porch or a sunroom addition,” he explains. “But there are so many other creative ways to allow the sun to spill across any room in the house.”


Screened Porch Addition Screens allow plenty of sunlight to drench the porch, and they also add dimension by providing a darker contrast to the white trim. With the roof for cover and the panels at the botom, the screened porch has a much cozier feel than the old deck. Tabor also


create | CONSUMER.NARIMETRODC.ORG 15


The more sunlight there is the happier people feel.


The Great Outdoor Deck


If you’ve ever heard people say they had a great vacation without leaving home—they probably had a deck like this one. A versatile deck offers the best of both worlds: indoors and outdoors, depending on your whim and the weather. There’s no better way to is ward off insomnia, or lower your blood pressure than by basking on a deck chair with a frosty beverage in hand on a deck like this.


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