Get Some Sun Even When Working Remotely! [EOM]

To all Zenn users,

Hello everyone. I'm Kitayama.

As mentioned in the title, "Let's bask in the sun even when working remotely! [EOM]", the purpose of this post is essentially just that. However, for those who took the time to open this article, I'd like to elaborate a bit more on my intentions and the benefits of getting some sunlight.

When commuting, I was soaking up sunlight without even realizing it💃

Maybe it's different for elementary school kids, but as adults, we rarely think consciously about "going out to soak up the sun." People with outdoor hobbies like BBQ, camping, or fishing probably itch to go outside, but for an indoor person like me, that's even less of a consideration.

However, I've come to realize since starting remote work that when engaging in social activities that involve commuting to the office, there were naturally many moments where I was exposed to sunlight without even trying.👩‍💻

• The path from home to the station / station to the office, or the path from home to the office
• The walk to go out for lunch at noon
• The walk to a convenience store in the afternoon
• The commute home from the office during the summer

On a sunny day, this probably adds up to about 30 minutes of sunlight. Since I live quite far from the station, I feel like I was getting about an hour's worth. But with remote work, that drops to almost zero... This is a serious issue.

The Returns of Basking in the Sun vs. the Risks of Not🌤

Since this article is essentially a "poem" (a personal essay), I encourage you to look up detailed medical information yourself, but here are the benefits of getting sunlight:

• 🔶 Circadian rhythm regulation
  • 🌤 Return of getting sunlight
    • Sunlight greatly affects the regulation of the circadian rhythm, also known as the body clock or biological clock.
    • Humans are living organisms, so we operate on a biological clock.
    • Circadian rhythm | Wikipedia
      • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circadian_rhythm
  • ☔️ Risk of not getting it
    • It is said to be a cause of circadian rhythm sleep disorders, seasonal affective disorder (winter depression), etc.
• 🔶 Production of active Vitamin D3
  • 🌤 Return of getting sunlight
    • Human skin produces active vitamin D3 when exposed to sunlight.
    • Vitamin D3 helps bodily activities in the following ways:
      • Promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorus
      • Promotes bone formation and growth
      • Regulates gene function (improving immunity, etc.)
  • ☔️ Risk of not getting it
    • Can cause osteoporosis, weakened immune system, and depression.
• 🔶 Activation of Serotonin
  • 🌤 Return of getting sunlight
    • Serotonin is a neurotransmitter.
    • It affects the control of emotions and mood, and mental stability.
    • There are also SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) used as medication for treating depression.
  • ☔️ Risk of not getting it
    • Inactivity or deficiency of serotonin leads to depressive symptoms such as:
      • Decreased concentration
      • Sleep disorders
      • Irritability
      • Anxiety

Regarding serotonin, there's a detailed explanation in the classic mental care manga series "Yu Mental Clinic: Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychiatry in Ikebukuro Through Manga," specifically the 20th episode: "How Do Antidepressants Work? ~SSRIs." Please take a look.

https://yuik.net/man/403.html

In fact, I was previously prescribed SSRIs and spent some time striving for various improvements, but I realized that going outside and basking in the sun had an effect beyond words. Since then, I've been conscious about going outside and opening the curtains.

You don't have to go outside, just open the curtains

In Japan, the Beginning of Winter (Rittō) has passed, and even if it's sunny outside, it's starting to get cold. For us indoor people, it's becoming an even tougher season. In times like these, even if you don't go outside, let's open the curtains. Let's bask in the sun. Whether or not you can get sunlight just by opening the curtains depends on your living situation, but if you live in a well-located place where sunlight enters, please start by opening your curtains. And then, soak up that sun.

As a side note, the house I lived in during university really didn't get any sunlight, so it was cool and comfortable even in the summer...

But... if possible, let's go outside! Move your body! Soak up the sun! 🕺

While basking in the sun is important, the lack of exercise due to remote work is also a significant issue. I enjoy riding bicycles, specifically a fixed-gear fuji feather for city riding and long trips. Even though I can't even run a few kilometers, the great thing about cycling is that I can ride for hours or dozens of kilometers. Moving your body feels good, and the cola or beer you treat yourself to after coming home is exceptional.

I think remote work is comfortable and absolutely great💃, but I also believe it's a way of working that requires even more self-management because it is so comfortable. Since our bodies are our assets as engineers and programmers, let's take care of them so we can enjoy programming for a long time. Let's bask in the sun.

It's been a long post, but that's all. Finally, I wish you all good health. Have a Nice Coding Day! 💃💃💃

__

Kitayama

p.s.
I accidentally posted this under "Tech," but I've moved it to "Ideas."