Chasing the Sun
The New Science of Sunlight and How it Shapes Our Bodies and Minds
Published on 10. January 2019
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-78125-832-3 (ISBN)
Description
'A sparkling and illuminating study, one of those rare books that could genuinely improve your life' James McConnachie, Sunday Times
Since the dawn of time, humans have worshipped the sun. And with good reason. Our biology is set up to work in partnership with the sun. From our sleep cycles to our immune systems and our mental health, access to sunlight is crucial for living a happy and fulfilling life. New research suggests that our sun exposure over a lifetime - even before we were born - may shape our risk of developing a range of different illnesses, from depression to diabetes.
Bursting with cutting-edge science and eye-opening advice, Chasing the Sun explores the extraordinary significance of sunlight. - from ancient solstice celebrations to modern sleep labs, and from the unexpected health benefits of sun exposure to what the Amish know about sleep that the rest of us don't.
As more of us move into light-polluted cities, spending our days in dim offices and our evenings watching brightly lit screens, we are in danger of losing something vital: our connection to the star that gave us life. It's a loss that could have far-reaching consequences that we're only just beginning to grasp.
Since the dawn of time, humans have worshipped the sun. And with good reason. Our biology is set up to work in partnership with the sun. From our sleep cycles to our immune systems and our mental health, access to sunlight is crucial for living a happy and fulfilling life. New research suggests that our sun exposure over a lifetime - even before we were born - may shape our risk of developing a range of different illnesses, from depression to diabetes.
Bursting with cutting-edge science and eye-opening advice, Chasing the Sun explores the extraordinary significance of sunlight. - from ancient solstice celebrations to modern sleep labs, and from the unexpected health benefits of sun exposure to what the Amish know about sleep that the rest of us don't.
As more of us move into light-polluted cities, spending our days in dim offices and our evenings watching brightly lit screens, we are in danger of losing something vital: our connection to the star that gave us life. It's a loss that could have far-reaching consequences that we're only just beginning to grasp.
Reviews / Votes
Life-changing * Daily Mail * This is a sparkling and illuminating study, one of those rare books that could genuinely improve your life ... -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times * Readable and frequently fascinating ... Geddes's lovely book will fill you with longing for bright summer days, blue skies and a baking hot sun dispensing vitamin D and happiness to all who bask in its glow. Roll on, summer! -- James Marriott * Times * Dazzling ... Geddes is at her best when explaining complexities in accessible terms -- Jonathon Keats * New Scientist * A fascinating and deeply researched study into the surprising importance of sunlight for our health and wellbeing. Geddes will convince even the most committed sofa sloths to step outside into the sun. -- Gaia Vince Linda Geddes takes us on an illuminating quest to understand our body's relationship with sunlight, why we dance to the beat of circadian rhythms, and how these enlightening insights can make us all happier and healthier. -- Roger Highfield This is an excellent introduction and guide to the modern science of light and the human for the general public. -- Anna Wirz-Justice, Emeritus Professor at the Centre for Chronobiology, University of Base Praise for Bumpology:'Linda Geddes is not afraid to ask anyone about anything. Don't get pregnant without it.' -- Tracey Brown * Sense About Science * What a BRILLIANT book! The antidote to anecdote, a great survey of current evidence. Just what the midwife ordered! -- Professor Alice Roberts Illuminating -- Sam Kean * The Wall Street Journal *
More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Profile Books Ltd
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 144 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
432 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78125-832-3 (9781781258323)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2019
Wellcome Collection
€11.49
Available for download
Person
Linda Geddes is a science journalist who specialises in biology, medicine and technology. She has worked as both an editor and reporter for New Scientist magazine, and has received numerous awards for her journalism, including the Association of British Science Writers' award for Best Investigative Journalism. She is also the author of Bumpology: The Myth-Busting Pregnancy Book for Curious Parents-To-Be.
www.lindageddes.com/
www.lindageddes.com/