Chasing the Sun: How the Science of Sunlight Shapes Our Bodies and Minds

Science journalist Geddes (Bumpology) comprehensively and comprehensibly looks at how sunlight and darkness influence human health, educating her audience with a mind to them “forging a healthier relationship with light.” She opens with the science of circadian rhythms, which derive from the pineal gland, keeping her explanation nontechnical by illustrating it with the story of a man who, in suffering from non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, has lost any biological connection to the sun. Similarly, her experiences among the Amish enable her to describe what pre–Industrial Revolution life was like, “when we had a more direct relationship with the sun,” and she makes the concept of jet lag management accessible through a sleep expert’s mechanism for predicting the outcome of NBA games. Other sections deal with the effects of irregular or night-time work shifts on the body’s metabolism, the importance of vitamin D in protecting people from the ill effects of sunshine, and seasonal affective disorder. While there’s not much here that will be new to health or science buffs, Geddes has done a great service to those who struggle to get a good’s night sleep by placing so much information in one place. This clearly written book will leave readers better informed and, hopefully, better rested. (Oct.)