PHOENIX (CBS5) -
Growing up, some of us might have heard our moms tell us if we want to feel better to go outside and play in the sunshine.
It turns out, mom was right.
According to Al Borhan with Affiliated Urologists of Phoenix, it's the "exposure and the vitamin D."
Now, don't get mad mom, but here's the catch. You can get too much of a good thing and it doesn't just cause a sunburn.
"We know that it can change the hormonal balance in your body," said Borhan.
We asked some folks in the Phoenix area Sunday if they knew too much sunshine can cause depression.
"I didn't know that," said one woman.
"It makes me feel cranky," said another.
Some men told us it makes them feel "cranky and sweaty."
So now that we know how most people feel, doesn't it make you wonder why?
Borhan said that although we know seasonal depression can be caused by living in a cloudy climate, too much sun can cause the same side effects like loss of appetite, mood swings and abnormal behavior.
"This balance is dependent on a particular temperature in your body, so it kind of cooks you and things don't work the way they are supposed to," he said.
So is there a silver lining?
Yes!
The old adage about summertime love isn't just a wise tale.
Borhan said the dog days of summer can heat up your hormones related to love and can make things a little steamy, even in the air conditioning.
Copyright 2012 CBS 5 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
