The Beatles’ song “Here Comes the Sun” is quickly becoming the anthem of the Community School of Davidson (CSD) high school and the surrounding Charlotte area as sunlight and warmer weather reveals itself, marking the transition between spring and summer. Students are now streaming their summer playlists, going clothes shopping and spending more and more time outside.

Change is in the air. Whether it’s smaller transitions like eating lunch outside, or big leaps like getting in a pool for the first time this year, many locals are making the best out of the nice weather.

CSD student Hayley Rohats (‘25) says that time spent in the sun leaves her feeling sleepier, yet happier.

“Being in the sun makes me feel more lively. It makes me want to do things that I wouldn’t want to do in the dark. I feel more motivated,” Hayley Rohats said. “I feel sleepy when I go inside and it gets ‘darker’ and my eyes have to adjust.”

Sage Moellendick (‘25) is an enthusiastic advocate for spending time in the sun, and notices that her time in the sun elevates her mood.

“I’m a huge sun fan. Anytime I’m not in the sun, like in a building for hours and hours, I always feel so emotionally drained. I feel very negative when I don’t see any sunlight,” Sage Moellendick said.

These perceptions lead people to wonder the reasons behind this phenomenon: does a few minutes in the sun really make people happier?

Science says yes.

A March 2024 article by WebMD briefly breaks down the effects of sunlight on human health, physical and mental. It acknowledges that overexposure to sunlight can cause diseases like skin cancer, but also addresses the many positive outcomes from small doses of sunlight.

While pointing out the harmful effects of too much sun, the article provides some “Do’s” and “Don’ts” when spending time in the sun.

Do: Protect your eyes, use sunscreen and go to a dermatologist.

Don’t: Get too much sun or go to tanning beds.

Heather Auten, CSD AP Psychology teacher, attributes the positive emotions that come with time in the sun to these internal processes.

“Sun helps our body process vitamin D. Vitamin D is known to help with elevated mood. That’s why people who live in other parts of the world where sunlight isn’t as prevalent can have seasonal depression,” Heather Auten said. “Sunlight alone isn’t enough, but it definitely helps increase the likelihood that someone would be happy.”

However, an August 2022 article by BBC’s Science Focus Magazine points out the controversy over the reality of the link between sunlight and happiness. Although the article supports the scientific evidence behind health benefits associated with sunlight exposure, it also points out that a 2016 study failed to prove the connection.

Despite varying study results, science magazines and reports alike confirm that there are always some positive effects of sunlight because of the increased serotonin and vitamin D levels that come with it.

Whatever a person’s belief on the relationship between happiness and sunshine is, it’s important to find a balance between safe sun exposure and time indoors.

“I recommend most people go out in the sun because I feel like a lot of negative behavior by people is because they just don’t find peace in nature, which is something that I feel is very important in our society,” Sage Moellendick said.