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69 reviews for:
Chasing the Sun: The New Science of Sunlight and How it Shapes Our Bodies and Minds
Linda Geddes
4.05 AVERAGE
69 reviews for:
Chasing the Sun: The New Science of Sunlight and How it Shapes Our Bodies and Minds
Linda Geddes
4.05 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
A wonderful book that made me question societal and basic concepts of time, in a way. It made me think a lot about the relationship between time, sunlight, and the human body. It makes me want to do better in my life and to put some of the lessons into practice in my life.
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.
It was OK. Parts of it were interesting. Others I found a bit dull and unnecessary, especially for a book on the science of sunlight. I would've enjoyed more science and less recounting of Geddes holidays to various sunlight-themed travel destinations.
When the science was their it was interesting but as someone who has read 'Why We Sleep' by Matthew Walker (read it by the way it's really good) (also mentioned in this text and cited for further reading) a lot of it wasn't that new. Would've been better suited as an article with the fluff taken out. Or include more data and studies, etc.
I don't regret the read, at least it was fairly short, (although it did take me a while to finish it admittedly) I wouldn't actively recommend it to anyone unless they were already interested. To which I would say "yeah if you want *shrug*".
When the science was their it was interesting but as someone who has read 'Why We Sleep' by Matthew Walker (read it by the way it's really good) (also mentioned in this text and cited for further reading) a lot of it wasn't that new. Would've been better suited as an article with the fluff taken out. Or include more data and studies, etc.
I don't regret the read, at least it was fairly short, (although it did take me a while to finish it admittedly) I wouldn't actively recommend it to anyone unless they were already interested. To which I would say "yeah if you want *shrug*".
It was OK. Parts of it were interesting. Others I found a bit dull and unnecessary, especially for a book on the science of sunlight. I would've enjoyed more science and less recounting of Geddes holidays to various sunlight-themed travel destinations.
When the science was their it was interesting but as someone who has read 'Why We Sleep' by Matthew Walker (read it by the way it's really good) (also mentioned in this text and cited for further reading) a lot of it wasn't that new. Would've been better suited as an article with the fluff taken out. Or include more data and studies, etc.
I don't regret the read, at least it was fairly short, (although it did take me a while to finish it admittedly) I wouldn't actively recommend it to anyone unless they were already interested. To which I would say "yeah if you want *shrug*".
When the science was their it was interesting but as someone who has read 'Why We Sleep' by Matthew Walker (read it by the way it's really good) (also mentioned in this text and cited for further reading) a lot of it wasn't that new. Would've been better suited as an article with the fluff taken out. Or include more data and studies, etc.
I don't regret the read, at least it was fairly short, (although it did take me a while to finish it admittedly) I wouldn't actively recommend it to anyone unless they were already interested. To which I would say "yeah if you want *shrug*".
I enjoyed this, but wish I had read it before Why We Sleep as it outlines some of the same findings more broadly
A little light pop-sci read for these wintry months.
We all know how to the idea of sunny days immediately makes us cheery - this book explores how sunlight (and artificial light) affects our psychobiological, physiological, emotional state.
It’s all really interesting, and Linda Geddes discusses the topics in such an accessible manner - it’s like going to a pub with a mate.
I’ve learned so much stuff and particularly enjoyed the bits about sleep (reminds me of Guy Leschziner’s Nocurnal Brain), sports and jetlag, optimum time for meds, shift work, and how the workplace can improve our productivity with the types of light we have in offices.
We all know how to the idea of sunny days immediately makes us cheery - this book explores how sunlight (and artificial light) affects our psychobiological, physiological, emotional state.
It’s all really interesting, and Linda Geddes discusses the topics in such an accessible manner - it’s like going to a pub with a mate.
I’ve learned so much stuff and particularly enjoyed the bits about sleep (reminds me of Guy Leschziner’s Nocurnal Brain), sports and jetlag, optimum time for meds, shift work, and how the workplace can improve our productivity with the types of light we have in offices.
Libro sobre la importancia del Sol en la sociedad y en nuestra salud. Un escrito de divulgación científica bien hecho, donde se relatan diferentes hechos sobre el mismo tema, sin profundizar mucho en términos complicadísimos. El libro luce más cuando Geddes se centra en su propia experiencia. Desde verse incapaz de escapar de la luz artificial en las Vegas, hasta vivir como un Amish, la autora hilvana muy fino entre sus experimentos y cada estudio. Merece la pena leerlo. Ahora me siento más consciente de lo relevante que es la luz en mi vida.
Really interesting read, especially right now in light of Covid19. This book also helped me realize something that I hadn't known about myself and my own sleep schedule since I always was the odd one out when it comes to sleeping times (I would usually fall asleep at 6 AM and wake at 1 PM, until I became a mom.) Really interesting read. Highly recommend!
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...
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!