Sunlight: a key to healthier living

We’re creatures of the day. Who doesn’t enjoy a nice sunny day at the beach, lying in the bright sun, or a day sitting on the dock at the cottage watching the sparkle of the sun on the waves?

There are many activities that we indulge in that require the sun or are accented on a beautiful sunny day. Did you know the sunlight that makes these activities so enjoyable is also a contributor to a healthier body and mind?

S.A.D., or Seasonal Affective Disorder, is a mood disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and an average of 2.5 percent of Canadians a year. This disorder, which can cause depression, sleep problems, overeating and many other symptoms, occurs throughout the winter months as a result of the lack of sunlight.During the summer, even with our busy work schedules, it’s relatively easy to find time to play in the sun. In contrast, during the late fall and winter months, even by the time we leave work, there is rarely much sunlight left.

There are a few accepted means of curing S.A.D. including therapeutic drugs and light therapy under specially designed, high-powered lamps. There is also, however, a simpler cure, one that can also enhance the feel and warmth of a house; that’s the "arranging of our homes and offices to receive more sunlight" (The National Mental Health Association).

Skylights offer a much more efficient means of bringing natural light into a home than do vertical wall windows because of their roof mounted and angled installations. Velux type VSE Venting Skylight and FSF Fixed Skylight with ventilation flap not only offer the benefits previously mentioned, allowing them to help alleviate the "winter blues" but also allow for the venting of stagnant air.

For more information, see www.velux.com.