Fez — Winter tends to shrink the one thing your brain and body quietly rely on: daylight. When mornings are darker and you spend more time indoors, it’s common to feel sleepier, more sluggish, and mentally “flat.”
That’s why getting some sun every once in a while can feel like a reset—not because tanning is magical, but because daylight is one of the strongest signals your body uses to regulate mood, sleep, and energy.
Daylight can lift mood when winter hits
Reduced daylight is strongly linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and milder “winter blues,” where people feel low, tired, and less motivated during the darker months. Light exposure influences brain chemistry and circadian timing, which is why light therapy is a standard, evidence-based treatment for SAD.
Even without a light box, getting outside in daylight—especially earlier in the day—can help reinforce the same biological cues that winter weakens.
Vitamin D is the winter gap people notice most
Vitamin D supports bone health and other body functions, and sunlight is one way the body produces it. The NIH notes that for many people, vitamin D status depends on a mix of fortified foods, supplements when needed, and some sunlight exposure.
The winter catch is that UVB (the part of sunlight that drives vitamin D production) can be weaker depending on latitude, time of day, cloud cover, and how much skin is actually exposed. This means that winter sun doesn’t guarantee vitamin D sufficiency.
Morning light helps your sleep rhythm behave
Winter can push your schedule later without you realizing it: less morning light, more artificial light at night, and suddenly sleep gets lighter, mood drops, and mornings feel brutal. Harvard Health explains that morning light exposure helps synchronize your internal clock, while bright evening light can disrupt it.
That’s why a short daytime walk can feel like it “fixes” your day—it’s nudging your circadian rhythm back into place.
But “sunbathing” isn’t a free health win
Here’s the important part: more UV is not automatically better. The American Academy of Dermatology is blunt that there isn’t a safe level of UV exposure that maximizes vitamin D without increasing skin-cancer risk, and it recommends sun protection rather than intentional UV seeking.
So the real “must” in winter isn’t tanning—it’s daylight exposure in a way that doesn’t leave you burned.
How to get the benefits without the damage
A good winter approach is aiming for daylight, not a tan. Go outside when the sun is up, keep it short, and avoid any exposure that turns into redness or burning. If you’ll be out longer—especially around midday, at altitude, or near reflective surfaces—protect your skin, because UV damage still accumulates even when the air feels cold.
If your goal is vitamin D specifically, consider getting your level tested and using food or supplements if needed, instead of relying on unprotected sun.
If you tell me your city (or just “coastal Morocco” vs “inland”), I can suggest a realistic winter daylight routine that balances mood and sleep benefits with skin safety.
