Winter Sun and Worker Wellbeing: Why Light, Rest and Recovery Matter Pt.1

When winter closes in across England with short days, dark mornings and grey skies, it can feel like a constant drain just to stay motivated.

For working people, that often comes on top of long shifts, irregular hours, rising energy bills and the pressure to keep going regardless. As part of the Workers of England Union’s work on work life balance and wellbeing, we are exploring alternatives to the traditional summer holiday. One option that repeatedly comes up is taking a short break for winter sun.

Why Light Matters

The research provides a clear starting point. Sunlight plays a central role in the body’s production of vitamin D.

In the UK, it is much harder to make enough vitamin D from sunlight during the winter months. This is why public health advice often encourages people to consider a daily vitamin D supplement throughout autumn and winter.

Vitamin D supports bone and muscle health and plays a wider role in body function. Low levels are commonly linked with fatigue and low mood. A sunny break is not a cure-all, but brighter conditions can help restore what winter gradually takes away, particularly for workers who spend most daylight hours indoors.

Light, Sleep and Mental Health

Light also plays a crucial role in regulating the body clock. Sunlight influences the brain’s control of melatonin and serotonin, which affects sleep, energy levels and mood.

This is one reason Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and milder winter blues are so common. Bright light therapy is a recognised treatment for SAD, reinforcing the basic principle that increased light exposure can help many people feel mentally lighter and more energised.

For shift workers or anyone coping with disrupted sleep patterns, time spent in natural daylight can be particularly beneficial. It can help reset sleep rhythms and reduce the exhaustion that builds up over long winter months.

Movement, Recovery and Practical Wellbeing

There is also a practical side to wellbeing. Warmth and daylight make movement easier. Walking, swimming, gentle exercise and simply being outdoors are less of a struggle when you are not battling cold rain, ice and darkness.

Physical activity supports mental health, sleep quality and stress reduction. A winter break can make it easier to reintroduce movement into daily life. The aim is not luxury. The aim is recovery.

Balancing Benefits and Risks

There are risks to acknowledge. Excessive UV exposure increases skin cancer risk, so sun protection and moderation are essential. However, research shows that it is possible to protect your skin while still gaining benefits.

Studies examining short sun holidays have found that even with sunscreen use, vitamin D levels can still improve. This shows that wellbeing does not require an all-or-nothing choice between safety and benefit.

Not One-Size-Fits-All

Winter sun is not for everyone. Some members prefer to save leave for summer or enjoy winter closer to home. But for those feeling depleted, run down or mentally drained, a short break into warmth and daylight can be a sensible investment in health, resilience and safer working.

Supporting wellbeing is not indulgence. It is about enabling working people to recover, remain healthy and continue to do their jobs safely and sustainably.