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Chasing the Sun: How the Science of Sunlight Shapes Our Bodies and Minds
Our biology is set up to work in partnership with the sun. Little wonder then that humans have long worshipped and revered our nearest star: life itself arose on earth because its relationship with the sun was a special one, and that relationship still affects us well into the era of electric lighting, indoor workdays, and vitamin D supplements.
What we are losing when we sever this ancient biological tie to the sun by spending more and more time inside during the day and surrounded by screens at night? Informed by cutting-edge scientific research and sparkling with memorable characters — from the modern druids who worship at Stonehenge each solstice to the Amish farmers who may have the right idea about healthy sleep patterns — Linda Geddes’s Chasing the Sun analyzes all aspects of our relationship to the sun, which continues to shape our bodies and minds in the twenty-first century.
The fascinating stories, innovative science, and unique perspectives in this book make it clear that the ancients were right to put the sun at the center of our world, and it is crucial that we remember this bond as we shape our lives today.
What we are losing when we sever this ancient biological tie to the sun by spending more and more time inside during the day and surrounded by screens at night? Informed by cutting-edge scientific research and sparkling with memorable characters — from the modern druids who worship at Stonehenge each solstice to the Amish farmers who may have the right idea about healthy sleep patterns — Linda Geddes’s Chasing the Sun analyzes all aspects of our relationship to the sun, which continues to shape our bodies and minds in the twenty-first century.
The fascinating stories, innovative science, and unique perspectives in this book make it clear that the ancients were right to put the sun at the center of our world, and it is crucial that we remember this bond as we shape our lives today.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 10, 2019
About the author
Linda Geddes
15 books13 followersLinda Geddes is a London-based journalist writing about biology, medicine and technology. Born in Cambridge, she graduated from Liverpool University with a first-class degree in Cell Biology. She has worked as both a news editor and reporter for New Scientist magazine, and has received numerous awards for her journalism, including the Association of British Science Writers’ awards for Best Investigative Journalism. She is married with two young children, Matilda and Max. (from http://www.lindageddes.com/biography)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
May 18, 2020
Chasing the Sun reminds readers of the importance of the sunlight in shaping some of the body's processes, regulating mood, and the surprisingly deleterious effects that not enough sun, or not adhering to the body's natural rhythms, can have.
I picked up this book because I've been having trouble sleeping and thought maybe this would have some helpful tips. It did, but I felt like most of this information I had heard before in some form or another. I suppose it is nice to have a reminder to get ample sunlight during my daily routine. I have experienced bouts of seasonal affective disorder in the past and know first hand how it can affect your mood.
It is rather depressing how far removed modern society has made itself from nature. Linda Geddes points out this gap and how the ancients, and some members of our era, made better use of this natural resource.
I enjoyed the history lessons about the Romans and their solariums. They used "heliotherapy" to treat a variety of illnesses. I also enjoyed the studies about the potential effectiveness of "chronotherapy" for patients suffering from certain mental disorders as well as learning about efforts to increase their sunlight by towns that receive little light during the day. For example, there's a town in Norway that put mirrors on top of the nearby mountains in order to direct more sunlight their way.
As we know more about the importance of sunlight, I'm certain we'll see more efforts to incorporate this information into our daily routines. And it affects things we may not even consider from school start times to a good night's sleep.
Recommended for readers who want to learn more about how the sun affects our lives and some of the newer scientific research about the same.
I picked up this book because I've been having trouble sleeping and thought maybe this would have some helpful tips. It did, but I felt like most of this information I had heard before in some form or another. I suppose it is nice to have a reminder to get ample sunlight during my daily routine. I have experienced bouts of seasonal affective disorder in the past and know first hand how it can affect your mood.
It is rather depressing how far removed modern society has made itself from nature. Linda Geddes points out this gap and how the ancients, and some members of our era, made better use of this natural resource.
I enjoyed the history lessons about the Romans and their solariums. They used "heliotherapy" to treat a variety of illnesses. I also enjoyed the studies about the potential effectiveness of "chronotherapy" for patients suffering from certain mental disorders as well as learning about efforts to increase their sunlight by towns that receive little light during the day. For example, there's a town in Norway that put mirrors on top of the nearby mountains in order to direct more sunlight their way.
As we know more about the importance of sunlight, I'm certain we'll see more efforts to incorporate this information into our daily routines. And it affects things we may not even consider from school start times to a good night's sleep.
Recommended for readers who want to learn more about how the sun affects our lives and some of the newer scientific research about the same.
February 18, 2020
Circadian rhythms govern just about every bodily process, from blood pressure to digestion, so even minor changes in our sleep and sunlight exposure can have drastic effects. Like Matthew Walker’s Why We Sleep, this is a book chock-full of facts that should be common sense, yet are more like a body of knowledge we have lost as we have become disconnected from natural human behavioral patterns. We weren’t meant to work nights, or to stay awake for many hours in the glow of artificial light after the sun has gone down on a winter’s day.
Geddes experiments with making do with only candlelight after sunset for several weeks. She also investigates seasonal affective disorder and “circadian lighting,” surveys the history of sunlight as a medical treatment, gives practical advice for minimizing jet lag, and weighs the case for abolishing daylight savings time. Whether you’re a regular reader of popular science or not, you should pick up this concise and highly readable book by a science journalist; it delves into topics that affect us all. It’s one to keep on the shelf and refer to the next time you cross time zones or change your work schedule.
Geddes experiments with making do with only candlelight after sunset for several weeks. She also investigates seasonal affective disorder and “circadian lighting,” surveys the history of sunlight as a medical treatment, gives practical advice for minimizing jet lag, and weighs the case for abolishing daylight savings time. Whether you’re a regular reader of popular science or not, you should pick up this concise and highly readable book by a science journalist; it delves into topics that affect us all. It’s one to keep on the shelf and refer to the next time you cross time zones or change your work schedule.
March 7, 2020
A good, short book about the human relationship with our Sun, and how it affects our health. Here's the best review I saw online: https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...
Their take-home summary: “Get lots of natural light, not too much direct sun, and avoid blue light at bedtime.” If I were you, I'd go read the Guardian review now, if you are at all interested in the topic -- it's well worth reading, even if you don't read the book. The publisher's summary is worth reading too.
The details are interesting. Geddes has done her homework. She's a pretty good writer, and it's a short enough book that you can easily skim to the next topic that catches your interest. I was particularly interested in the effects of sunlight (and bright artificial light) on health. More time in the sun seems to be better (even with the risk of skin cancer) than less. Circadian rhythms seem to affect the action of many drugs -- they are more effective when taken at certain times of day.
I found the first couple of chapters pretty dry, as is some of the science-history stuff. Her recounting of camping trips and visiting the Amish and the Druids didn't interest me. I recommend the book with those minor reservations. Strong three stars.
Her endnotes are mostly weblinks. I looked for an online copy, to avoid the tedium of typing in long URLs, and couldn't find one.
Their take-home summary: “Get lots of natural light, not too much direct sun, and avoid blue light at bedtime.” If I were you, I'd go read the Guardian review now, if you are at all interested in the topic -- it's well worth reading, even if you don't read the book. The publisher's summary is worth reading too.
The details are interesting. Geddes has done her homework. She's a pretty good writer, and it's a short enough book that you can easily skim to the next topic that catches your interest. I was particularly interested in the effects of sunlight (and bright artificial light) on health. More time in the sun seems to be better (even with the risk of skin cancer) than less. Circadian rhythms seem to affect the action of many drugs -- they are more effective when taken at certain times of day.
I found the first couple of chapters pretty dry, as is some of the science-history stuff. Her recounting of camping trips and visiting the Amish and the Druids didn't interest me. I recommend the book with those minor reservations. Strong three stars.
Her endnotes are mostly weblinks. I looked for an online copy, to avoid the tedium of typing in long URLs, and couldn't find one.
April 20, 2019
Our need for sunlight is explained so well in this book, and how our physical & mental wellbeing can dramatically improve! The sun is not just about getting your daily dose of Vitamin D or some warmth. There are so many factors that are affected by sunlight. I was met with many surprise facts (which I won’t spoil) that I never knew before, it was a revelation! ✨
Nowadays, we encounter a different battle with artificial light and this is one we are not doing very well at fighting against. We are instead kept in a constant state of “semi” light which isn’t enough during the day and is too much at night!
Every cell in our body has an internal clock and that means every cell is affected by the effects related to light exposure. As I spend so much time at a screen in a dimly lit room, only to go home be in the same circumstance, it was obvious why I couldn’t sleep at night! My body simply didn’t know what time it was! ⏰
I noticed that my mood would slip during the winter. Understanding how much I was deprived & being shown the methods to help has literally brought light into my life!
I bought a lamp and not any kind of lamp, one that generates up to 10,000 lux which is VERY BRIGHT! The best part is I have actually noticed such improvements in my life, mental abilities as well as my mood. Whilst, I can’t really avoid the dullness during the day, I can improve my mornings by brightening them up and improve my nights by dimming them down.
This book has taught me to work with my body’s natural rhythm to feel more alert, better rested and to be honest, happier. Guess I could say it brought me a bit of sunshine! ☀️
Nowadays, we encounter a different battle with artificial light and this is one we are not doing very well at fighting against. We are instead kept in a constant state of “semi” light which isn’t enough during the day and is too much at night!
Every cell in our body has an internal clock and that means every cell is affected by the effects related to light exposure. As I spend so much time at a screen in a dimly lit room, only to go home be in the same circumstance, it was obvious why I couldn’t sleep at night! My body simply didn’t know what time it was! ⏰
I noticed that my mood would slip during the winter. Understanding how much I was deprived & being shown the methods to help has literally brought light into my life!
I bought a lamp and not any kind of lamp, one that generates up to 10,000 lux which is VERY BRIGHT! The best part is I have actually noticed such improvements in my life, mental abilities as well as my mood. Whilst, I can’t really avoid the dullness during the day, I can improve my mornings by brightening them up and improve my nights by dimming them down.
This book has taught me to work with my body’s natural rhythm to feel more alert, better rested and to be honest, happier. Guess I could say it brought me a bit of sunshine! ☀️
June 1, 2019
The sun rises every single day and has done so for the past few billion years. This source of energy has played a pivotal part in the development of life on Earth and not unsurprising, it has been a focus of our collective attention for time immemorial. Many cultures have worshipped it or have tracked its regular path through the heavens and tried to elucidate meaning from it.
As the sun has been a central part of almost all the Earth’s inhabitants, lots of creatures have evolved in tandem with it, including us. Research has shown that the sun is key to our mental well being, sleep, immune systems and circadian rhythms. Too much sun is bad for us as it can cause skin cancers but then so is too little, those that rarely see the sun do not generate enough vitamin D that is essential for their health.
One of the biggest disrupters to our health in the modern day is artificial light. Ever since the light bulb was invented, cheap affordable light has been available to all so we have retreated indoors turning pallid in the glow of the modern screens. Office lighting is a good example. The output from the ceilings lights is fairly poor, you only get a fraction of light, around 200 to 300 lux, which is nothing when you compare it to the amount light on a bright day which can reach around 100,000 lux. All of these effects are cumulative, and if you live in northern Europe, then you are much worse off in winter because of the very short days.
I liked this book a lot, it does what a good popular science book should do, gives you a good overview of the subject and touches on lots of different subjects without becoming too academic. On certain elements, for example, on our body clocks and how to improve lighting for those on shift work, in particular, Geddes explores them in a little more depth. Worth reading.
As the sun has been a central part of almost all the Earth’s inhabitants, lots of creatures have evolved in tandem with it, including us. Research has shown that the sun is key to our mental well being, sleep, immune systems and circadian rhythms. Too much sun is bad for us as it can cause skin cancers but then so is too little, those that rarely see the sun do not generate enough vitamin D that is essential for their health.
One of the biggest disrupters to our health in the modern day is artificial light. Ever since the light bulb was invented, cheap affordable light has been available to all so we have retreated indoors turning pallid in the glow of the modern screens. Office lighting is a good example. The output from the ceilings lights is fairly poor, you only get a fraction of light, around 200 to 300 lux, which is nothing when you compare it to the amount light on a bright day which can reach around 100,000 lux. All of these effects are cumulative, and if you live in northern Europe, then you are much worse off in winter because of the very short days.
I liked this book a lot, it does what a good popular science book should do, gives you a good overview of the subject and touches on lots of different subjects without becoming too academic. On certain elements, for example, on our body clocks and how to improve lighting for those on shift work, in particular, Geddes explores them in a little more depth. Worth reading.
February 5, 2020
Each of us has an inner clock that coordinates body functions and it’s influenced by the sun.
اثرات نور خورشید بر سلامت جسمی و روانی
Spending too much time under artificial light can disrupt your circadian rhythms.
Circadian disruption may be cancerous and people in high latitudes have different responses to darkness.
The sun is more important to our daily lives than you may think. To begin with, it is responsible for synchronizing our circadian rhythms, which are responsible for coordinating many of the functions in our bodies. From allowing us to get a good night’s sleep to controlling when hormones are released, our circadian rhythms are central to our overall performance and health. The sun also gives our bodies much-needed Vitamin D and can influence our moods. Research into mental health has found that resetting our circadian rhythms can help manage chronic depression. Schools and businesses around the world are starting to take our internal clocks more seriously.
Actionable advice:
The next time you have jet lag, try taking melatonin.
If you’ve ever experienced jet lag after taking a long international trip, then you’ve experienced a mild version of what can happen when your circadian rhythms get out of sync. To help get back in sync, take some melatonin around sunset. Your body naturally releases melatonin when it gets dark outside, as a way to prepare you for deep sleep. But if your circadian rhythms are synced to a different time zone halfway around the world, this is likely not taking place when it should. After a night or two of taking melatonin before bedtime, your rhythms should get back on track.
......
What to read next: Moon, by Ben Moore
The sun has a big influence on all of Earth’s life forms, but humans have always had a strong fascination with the moon as well. Even now, long after we’ve set foot on the desolate orb circling our planet, there is international interest in establishing moon bases and discovering more about what resources the moon may hold.
Ref: blinkist.com
اثرات نور خورشید بر سلامت جسمی و روانی
Spending too much time under artificial light can disrupt your circadian rhythms.
Circadian disruption may be cancerous and people in high latitudes have different responses to darkness.
The sun is more important to our daily lives than you may think. To begin with, it is responsible for synchronizing our circadian rhythms, which are responsible for coordinating many of the functions in our bodies. From allowing us to get a good night’s sleep to controlling when hormones are released, our circadian rhythms are central to our overall performance and health. The sun also gives our bodies much-needed Vitamin D and can influence our moods. Research into mental health has found that resetting our circadian rhythms can help manage chronic depression. Schools and businesses around the world are starting to take our internal clocks more seriously.
Actionable advice:
The next time you have jet lag, try taking melatonin.
If you’ve ever experienced jet lag after taking a long international trip, then you’ve experienced a mild version of what can happen when your circadian rhythms get out of sync. To help get back in sync, take some melatonin around sunset. Your body naturally releases melatonin when it gets dark outside, as a way to prepare you for deep sleep. But if your circadian rhythms are synced to a different time zone halfway around the world, this is likely not taking place when it should. After a night or two of taking melatonin before bedtime, your rhythms should get back on track.
......
What to read next: Moon, by Ben Moore
The sun has a big influence on all of Earth’s life forms, but humans have always had a strong fascination with the moon as well. Even now, long after we’ve set foot on the desolate orb circling our planet, there is international interest in establishing moon bases and discovering more about what resources the moon may hold.
Ref: blinkist.com
February 6, 2023
I love library patrons! This was a recommendation by a patron when I mentioned I had read a different book she was checking out, Why We Sleep, and it turned out to be such a winner, I bought a copy for my kindle so I could highlight and reread.
Each chapter covers a different aspect of how we live—and have lived through the ages—and how sunlight figures in. There’s a lot about circadian rhythms and sleep, but it also covers health remedies past and present that use sunlight for other issues besides sleep problems, like depression, skin problems, tuberculosis, and rickets. She covers several modern experiments with light therapy and adjusting work and school schedules to circadian rhythms, like starting school later since more teens do better with a later start. Fascinating stuff, and she does a nice job explaining the biology of it in terms an old English major can understand.
It’s well-researched, and she did a good deal of traveling to interview chronobiologists, doctors, and researchers. I’m really fascinated with this field of biology, and this book defines it well and covers its different applications extensively.
Each chapter covers a different aspect of how we live—and have lived through the ages—and how sunlight figures in. There’s a lot about circadian rhythms and sleep, but it also covers health remedies past and present that use sunlight for other issues besides sleep problems, like depression, skin problems, tuberculosis, and rickets. She covers several modern experiments with light therapy and adjusting work and school schedules to circadian rhythms, like starting school later since more teens do better with a later start. Fascinating stuff, and she does a nice job explaining the biology of it in terms an old English major can understand.
It’s well-researched, and she did a good deal of traveling to interview chronobiologists, doctors, and researchers. I’m really fascinated with this field of biology, and this book defines it well and covers its different applications extensively.
October 20, 2019
Earth's distance for the sun, not too close and not too far away, meant that the water on it's surface remained liquid, whereas on Venus it was baked away, and on Mars it was locked up as ice.
Sunlight doesn't only affect the body clock: it affects our physical and mental health as well.
Sun exposure over a lifetime may shape our risk of developing a range of different illnesses, from depression to diabetes.
Being out in the sun can lower your blood pressure, calm our immune system and even alter our mood.
Suffering sunburn during childhood or adolescence more than doubles an individual's chance of developing the potentially deadly skin cancer melanoma in later life.
Sun exposure reduces the risk of heart disease by promoting feelings of relaxation and combats the negative effects of stress on the heart.
Light, sleep, and timing are three basic things that have the potential to transform health care.
We need to spend the greater portion of our daytimes outdoors, to reap both the biological benefits of sunlight on our skin, and to realign our internal clockwork.
In the future, indoor lighting may be tailored to the individual as sensor will detect how much light people have been exposed to over the previous 24 hours, possibly with software used to track their sleeping patterns.
Sunlight doesn't only affect the body clock: it affects our physical and mental health as well.
Sun exposure over a lifetime may shape our risk of developing a range of different illnesses, from depression to diabetes.
Being out in the sun can lower your blood pressure, calm our immune system and even alter our mood.
Suffering sunburn during childhood or adolescence more than doubles an individual's chance of developing the potentially deadly skin cancer melanoma in later life.
Sun exposure reduces the risk of heart disease by promoting feelings of relaxation and combats the negative effects of stress on the heart.
Light, sleep, and timing are three basic things that have the potential to transform health care.
We need to spend the greater portion of our daytimes outdoors, to reap both the biological benefits of sunlight on our skin, and to realign our internal clockwork.
In the future, indoor lighting may be tailored to the individual as sensor will detect how much light people have been exposed to over the previous 24 hours, possibly with software used to track their sleeping patterns.
January 27, 2020
I loved this book. Anyone who struggles with seasonal depression, like me, can gain valuable insight from what this book has to offer. While some of the ways to overcome winter are not likely to be implemented because of societal pressure and duty it is nevertheless eye opening to be aware of how our biology reacts with the sun. I’m moving to Hawaii.
March 10, 2019
An especially great book if you enjoyed why we sleep by Matthew Walker. Chasing the sun explores the influence of light on the body, and let me tell you the effects are far reaching. Now's let's all get some sun!
September 19, 2019
I loved this. It really well summarises a huge range of current and past research, explains it simply and in a way that you can apply to improve so many aspects of your own life. But it will make you obsess with getting all the sunlight you can...
June 28, 2024
Interesting. I think this author convinced even this cave-dwelling sun-hater to consider stepping outside more often during the dreaded summer. She’s British though so what does she actually know of the evil eye of the sun that tracks to and fro over the land of Bakersfield in July. 🤣
Seriously though a fascinating look at the ways in which the sun runs our internal clock.
Seriously though a fascinating look at the ways in which the sun runs our internal clock.
August 14, 2020
dawno nie czytałam książki popularnonaukowej napisanej tak ciekawie i przystępnie, że się przez nią płynie, mega polecam!!
August 27, 2019
One of those “quite pleasant but nothing special” books. I did learn a few interesting facts and as a sun worshipper and heliophile, the topic of ‘the science of sunlight’ (subtitle) is of intrinsic interest to me— but the prose is so-so, nothing special, and the style is a standard “popular science” style: personal anecdotes and memories, interviews with professors and specialists (along the radio model: don’t cite or quote, but get the person to speak in their own voice), not a particularly critical or critiquey stance towards sources, many web-based sources (so it’s quite different from “academic science” style). Nothing awful or offensive here so that’s good!
My best take-aways:
- In adults, cognitive performance peaks mid-morning.
- Muscle-strength and flexibility peak late afternoon.
- To combat jet lag: it’s the time zone that your body clock thinks it is in that matters. When travelling eastward (UK to Australia, UK to Spain, US to UK, California to Toronto): go to bed earlier; seek out light 6 o’clock to 18:00 (your body clock); wear wrap-around sunglasses 18-6 (or go to sleep if it coincided with night in your new time zone). When travelling westward (Australia to UK, Spain to UK, UK to US, Toronto to California): go to bed later; seek out bright light 18-6; wear wrap-arounds or sleep (if it’s night in your new time zone) 6-18.
- Jet lag is an example of circadian desynchrony or circadian misalignment. Grogginess upon waking is called sleep inertia. Clock-wise is sun-wise.
- To trigger sleep, body temperature must drop by 1 degree Celsius. A warm shower, even on hot days, helps.
- Embrace the differences between the seasons. Don’t try to maintain the same pattern of activities year-round. Liking winter is associated with greater life satisfaction.
- Being outdoors even on a gloomy winter’s day exposes you to many more lux than being in a brightly-lit office. The author sat in a park in winter where she measured 600 times more illuminance than in her office. During summer, Amish people are exposed to an average of 4,000 daytime lux, compared with 587 lux among Brits. The full moon on a clear night is 0.1-0.3 lux and 1 lux in the tropics, the same as candlelight.
- In the morning, we need bright blue light, in the evening dim orange light.
- Humans sleep in 90-min cycles, each with REM and NREM sleep. The first half of the night has more NREM, the second half more REM. NREM removes superfluous memory stuff and helps to consolidate new memories and skills. REM sleep fine-tunes emotions and enables creative insights. Short bursts of light NREM are called spindles and archive new facts and physical skills to long-term storage.
- Sunburn is bad but so is sun avoidance. Outdoor workers risk skin cancer but are less likely to die from it than office workers who “binge-bathe”.
- The sun rotates once every 27 days.
My best take-aways:
- In adults, cognitive performance peaks mid-morning.
- Muscle-strength and flexibility peak late afternoon.
- To combat jet lag: it’s the time zone that your body clock thinks it is in that matters. When travelling eastward (UK to Australia, UK to Spain, US to UK, California to Toronto): go to bed earlier; seek out light 6 o’clock to 18:00 (your body clock); wear wrap-around sunglasses 18-6 (or go to sleep if it coincided with night in your new time zone). When travelling westward (Australia to UK, Spain to UK, UK to US, Toronto to California): go to bed later; seek out bright light 18-6; wear wrap-arounds or sleep (if it’s night in your new time zone) 6-18.
- Jet lag is an example of circadian desynchrony or circadian misalignment. Grogginess upon waking is called sleep inertia. Clock-wise is sun-wise.
- To trigger sleep, body temperature must drop by 1 degree Celsius. A warm shower, even on hot days, helps.
- Embrace the differences between the seasons. Don’t try to maintain the same pattern of activities year-round. Liking winter is associated with greater life satisfaction.
- Being outdoors even on a gloomy winter’s day exposes you to many more lux than being in a brightly-lit office. The author sat in a park in winter where she measured 600 times more illuminance than in her office. During summer, Amish people are exposed to an average of 4,000 daytime lux, compared with 587 lux among Brits. The full moon on a clear night is 0.1-0.3 lux and 1 lux in the tropics, the same as candlelight.
- In the morning, we need bright blue light, in the evening dim orange light.
- Humans sleep in 90-min cycles, each with REM and NREM sleep. The first half of the night has more NREM, the second half more REM. NREM removes superfluous memory stuff and helps to consolidate new memories and skills. REM sleep fine-tunes emotions and enables creative insights. Short bursts of light NREM are called spindles and archive new facts and physical skills to long-term storage.
- Sunburn is bad but so is sun avoidance. Outdoor workers risk skin cancer but are less likely to die from it than office workers who “binge-bathe”.
- The sun rotates once every 27 days.
November 26, 2019
This book was so relevant to my life. I need more outdoors and sunlight in my life. And less artificial light. PSA: most modern lights emit blue light at night, not just screens. Yes, your fluorescent bulbs and LED lights are keeping you up and screwing up your circadian rhythms. Sleeping in on the weekends is just messing with your circadian rhythms more (although the sleep is important). And so much more... I had to special order this book used from England, not sure why it wasn't more available here in the US because it is revolutionary. Full disclosure: I was doing a lot of research on blue light before I bought it and even considering that this would be a good subject for a book, but now I can just read it instead of having to write a book. Or maybe I will someday write a different book. I feel like there are a lot of shifts I need to make in my life after reading this. I understand more now why I feel drawn to outdoor work- it's not the work but the outdoors; the sunlight; the sinking in to a more natural rhythm.
July 7, 2019
W czasach w których spędzamy więcej czasu w pomieszczeniach, przed różnymi sprzętami, nie zdajemy sobie sprawy z tego jak ważne jest słońce dla naszego organizmu. ☀️ Nie wiemy też, że słońce ma ogromne właściwości lecznicze dla naszego ciała, umysłu a przede wszystkim snu. 💤
Nie chwila... My to wiemy! Dlaczego zatem większość społeczeństwa to ignoruje?
Zapytacie, co jeszcze można napisać w 312 stronicowej książce? Linda Geddes podeszła do tematu z pełnym profesjonalizmem i nie tylko uświadomiła mnie jak ważna jest dla nas ta gwiazda, podała mnóstwo przykładów i faktów, ale też przekonała mnie do tego aby postarać się częściej przebywać na zewnątrz, bo wiem jak to wpłynie na mój organizm.
Owszem autorka czasami powtarzała pewne fakty i słowa, co było trochę nużące, ale mimo wszystko jest to książka warta przeczytania. 👌
Nie chwila... My to wiemy! Dlaczego zatem większość społeczeństwa to ignoruje?
Zapytacie, co jeszcze można napisać w 312 stronicowej książce? Linda Geddes podeszła do tematu z pełnym profesjonalizmem i nie tylko uświadomiła mnie jak ważna jest dla nas ta gwiazda, podała mnóstwo przykładów i faktów, ale też przekonała mnie do tego aby postarać się częściej przebywać na zewnątrz, bo wiem jak to wpłynie na mój organizm.
Owszem autorka czasami powtarzała pewne fakty i słowa, co było trochę nużące, ale mimo wszystko jest to książka warta przeczytania. 👌
July 18, 2019
This book was mesmerising in its exploration of the sun and how light affects our health, mentally and physically. Although I was aware of some of the science, it’s made me more conscious of my own sleeping and waking patterns, and daily routine. It is comforting to read about the facts behind decreased mood by lack of natural light and closeness to nature. This is something I feel all too prominently *sigh* If you’re interested in science and biology, this is definitely worth reading.
June 24, 2020
"Chasing the Sun" describes the impact of the sun and sunlight on our lives. Not only does being out in the sunshine make us calmer, but it also has a beneficial effect on our health.
The effect of sunlight on our patterns of sleep is dealt with in much detail. As someone who has travelled across multiple time zones over the years with work, I found the chapter entitled "Fine-tuning the Clock" with strategies for dealing with jet lag particularly useful.
Recommended reading.
The effect of sunlight on our patterns of sleep is dealt with in much detail. As someone who has travelled across multiple time zones over the years with work, I found the chapter entitled "Fine-tuning the Clock" with strategies for dealing with jet lag particularly useful.
Recommended reading.
April 13, 2023
Dla mnie to książka z serii "game changer". Z jednej strony opisane są oczywistości - ile powinien trwać średnio zdrowy sen, jak wpływa na nas światło niebieskie lub czym jest faza REM itp.
Są jednak pokazane dwie strony medalu - co się dzieje gdy światła jest za dużo (nie tylko niebieskiego) i co się dzieje gdy jest go za mało. Podoba mi się stwierdzenie, że wszyscy jesteśmy "dziećmi słońca" bo coś w tym jest i warto wsłuchać się w jego rytm, który nas ukształtował jako ludzi z 24 godzinną dobą. No i przede wszystkim opisane są różne deprywacje snu - które się leczy jak każdą inną chorobę/zaburzenie/infekcje etc u specjalisty lub jak zaplonować dzień mając dany chronotyp. Więc argument - jesteś leniem bo nie umiesz wcześniej wstać można wsadzić między bajki. Książka nie daje jednoznacznego rozwiązania ale szuka odpowiedzi jak świat mógłby się dostosować do cyklu słońca i jakie korzyści to dałoby społeczeństwu. Myślę że świat na tyle się rozwinął że mógłby wprowadzić te zmiany ale żyjemy w kulturze "zapierdolu" więc ciężko nagle wprowadzić pracę lub lekcje od godziny 10:00 itp.
Są jednak pokazane dwie strony medalu - co się dzieje gdy światła jest za dużo (nie tylko niebieskiego) i co się dzieje gdy jest go za mało. Podoba mi się stwierdzenie, że wszyscy jesteśmy "dziećmi słońca" bo coś w tym jest i warto wsłuchać się w jego rytm, który nas ukształtował jako ludzi z 24 godzinną dobą. No i przede wszystkim opisane są różne deprywacje snu - które się leczy jak każdą inną chorobę/zaburzenie/infekcje etc u specjalisty lub jak zaplonować dzień mając dany chronotyp. Więc argument - jesteś leniem bo nie umiesz wcześniej wstać można wsadzić między bajki. Książka nie daje jednoznacznego rozwiązania ale szuka odpowiedzi jak świat mógłby się dostosować do cyklu słońca i jakie korzyści to dałoby społeczeństwu. Myślę że świat na tyle się rozwinął że mógłby wprowadzić te zmiany ale żyjemy w kulturze "zapierdolu" więc ciężko nagle wprowadzić pracę lub lekcje od godziny 10:00 itp.
August 23, 2019
Jeżeli, tak jak ja, jesteście uzależnieni od słońca oraz promieni słonecznych to jak najbardziej będzie to książka dla Was. Na plus zdecydowanie masa ciekawostek w niej przedstawiona oraz praktyczne przykłady na zbawienny wręcz wpływ promieni słonecznych na nasz organizm i samopoczucie. Oczywiście autorka podkreśla na każdym kroku, że tak jak we wszystkim, także w nasłonecznianiu się wskazany jest umiar. Dla mnie znaczące były rozdziały traktujące o wpływie słońca na samopoczucie psychiczne. Przekonałem się tym samym, że dla mnie idealnym rozwiązaniem na zimowe i ponure miesiące w Polsce, będzie zakup lampy imitującej światło słoneczne. Tym samym chociaż trochę pomogę sobie w zimowe miesiące.
Książka napisana jest lekkim i przyjemnym językiem. Widać fascynację autorki tematem. Dla mnie ciekawa lektura. W sam raz na ostatnie słonecznie dni :)
Książka napisana jest lekkim i przyjemnym językiem. Widać fascynację autorki tematem. Dla mnie ciekawa lektura. W sam raz na ostatnie słonecznie dni :)
March 3, 2020
I thought this was a super interesting book. I love summer and the sun and I think this book has some valid points as to why sunlight is so important and why I’m always more sad/tired/annoyed in the dark winter months. Great stuff!
March 9, 2020
I loved this one. It reminded me a bit of “why we sleep” by Matthew Walker (highly recommend) but focused on the sun and it’s effects than solely sleep. Admittedly, now I desperately want to move to the beach and stop participating in daylight savings time. 😂
December 24, 2019
Everyone needs to read this as the information is very valuable.
March 12, 2020
Fascinating book on the influence of light and the sun on our mental and physical health and well being.
March 22, 2020
Lots of fascinating information!
December 9, 2020
A fantastic overview of a topic which we still scarcely consider in our society.
March 1, 2020
Another non fiction book from the library because that seems to be what I'm in the mood for at the moment. This one is about sunlight and its effect on our bodies and minds, and what the rise of artificial light means for humans as a majority.
I found this a very easy nonfiction book to get into, it was divided into various chapters which looked at the beneficial effect of sunlight on people, what being deprived of natural light does to people, as well as what we can do to counter the effects of modern society on our biological rhythms. It was very interesting to see just how much our bodies relied on sunlight to run all the body systems, not just the ones related to sleep (though this one did come up). Much like the book on rest, there aren't as many studies on sunlight as there are on other aspects of health, like diet, but it is a well-reported treatment throughout history.
Yes, the author does highlight that sunlight, much like many things, is best taken in moderation and she does not ignore the skin cancer link, but she does point out the antibacterial properties of sunlight, on skin and healing. Too little and too much are both dangerous, just in different ways. She also talks about Vitamin D supplements and how they aren't nearly as effective as actual sunlight, which means there is something we have not found out about yet in the processes that go through out body from the sunlight and prevent diseases such as rickets. Again, mental health is highlighted here as sunlight can help to reset a sluggish circadian rhythm, which has been closely linked to depression (both a cause and a symptom of it), but sunlight is also helpful to prevent depression and other mental health issues. Mostly due to helping someone sleep but the author is quick to point out that while we know there's a link, we don't understand everything about this link.
This is definitely a book I would recommend and I especially liked the tips about helping to adjust your circadian rhythm, as a night shift worker.
4.5 stars!
I found this a very easy nonfiction book to get into, it was divided into various chapters which looked at the beneficial effect of sunlight on people, what being deprived of natural light does to people, as well as what we can do to counter the effects of modern society on our biological rhythms. It was very interesting to see just how much our bodies relied on sunlight to run all the body systems, not just the ones related to sleep (though this one did come up). Much like the book on rest, there aren't as many studies on sunlight as there are on other aspects of health, like diet, but it is a well-reported treatment throughout history.
Yes, the author does highlight that sunlight, much like many things, is best taken in moderation and she does not ignore the skin cancer link, but she does point out the antibacterial properties of sunlight, on skin and healing. Too little and too much are both dangerous, just in different ways. She also talks about Vitamin D supplements and how they aren't nearly as effective as actual sunlight, which means there is something we have not found out about yet in the processes that go through out body from the sunlight and prevent diseases such as rickets. Again, mental health is highlighted here as sunlight can help to reset a sluggish circadian rhythm, which has been closely linked to depression (both a cause and a symptom of it), but sunlight is also helpful to prevent depression and other mental health issues. Mostly due to helping someone sleep but the author is quick to point out that while we know there's a link, we don't understand everything about this link.
This is definitely a book I would recommend and I especially liked the tips about helping to adjust your circadian rhythm, as a night shift worker.
4.5 stars!
December 21, 2022
This book really picked up steam! At first, my mind wandered, and I found it a little hard to get into- the themes seemed to be things I already knew. But then I started to learn some very cool things.
Many people have an intrinsic 25-hour cycle when kept away from sunlight. We calibrate our circadian rhythm mainly through sun hitting photosensitive cells in our eyes, and it turns out that many blind people have inconsistent circadian rhythms. These non-24 hour sleep wake disorders are uncommon but devastating for their social and professional effects.
This blew my mind: spending time outdoors reduces the odds that a kid will develop myopia! A big study compared Chinese kids raised in China to peers raised in Australia; controlling for everything, sun exposure inversely correlated with myopia.
Sunlight exposure reduces the incidence of autoimmune diseases, and, by the way, it almost certainly isn’t because of vitamin D (or at least is not only due to vitamin D). Most likely, vitamin D is just a correlation for sun exposure. In Iran after the Revolution, when women newly had to cover all their skin and men had to dress conservatively, multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune disease) exploded in incidence.
Sunlight exposure helps with cardiovascular health. For example, blood pressure drops noticeable after 20 min of sun- an effect which lasts for hours.
Overall, lots of sun exposure Increases your lifespan by one to two years - despite skin cancer risks!
Here’s a weird fact to end with: circadian rhythms are linked to mental health in many ways, and spending a night awake can jolt people out of depression.
Anyway/ I recommend this book, and I actually listened to the author narrating it on audible- she was great!
Many people have an intrinsic 25-hour cycle when kept away from sunlight. We calibrate our circadian rhythm mainly through sun hitting photosensitive cells in our eyes, and it turns out that many blind people have inconsistent circadian rhythms. These non-24 hour sleep wake disorders are uncommon but devastating for their social and professional effects.
This blew my mind: spending time outdoors reduces the odds that a kid will develop myopia! A big study compared Chinese kids raised in China to peers raised in Australia; controlling for everything, sun exposure inversely correlated with myopia.
Sunlight exposure reduces the incidence of autoimmune diseases, and, by the way, it almost certainly isn’t because of vitamin D (or at least is not only due to vitamin D). Most likely, vitamin D is just a correlation for sun exposure. In Iran after the Revolution, when women newly had to cover all their skin and men had to dress conservatively, multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune disease) exploded in incidence.
Sunlight exposure helps with cardiovascular health. For example, blood pressure drops noticeable after 20 min of sun- an effect which lasts for hours.
Overall, lots of sun exposure Increases your lifespan by one to two years - despite skin cancer risks!
Here’s a weird fact to end with: circadian rhythms are linked to mental health in many ways, and spending a night awake can jolt people out of depression.
Anyway/ I recommend this book, and I actually listened to the author narrating it on audible- she was great!
January 5, 2022
This book had a lot of interesting information about our biological functions in relation to the sun and really makes you think about how important sunlight is. I found it ironic that this book was published right before COVID where we were forced indoors and work was from home. (It even talks about flexible work hours and how everyone has different peak work times, very relevant haha) I really enjoyed it and would recommend !
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