I live in Israel, so I'm in the general "Saudi area", meaning the Middle East.
It's a sun-washed area of the world,
and while I do walk around town in the sun for errands,
I would not suntan without sunscreen,
especially not with my fair skin,
and with there being skin cancer history in my close family.

But it is very important to me that the sun is out there,
even if I am not basking in it.
Even on days I am indoors, just having bright sunshine come in through the windows
makes a huge impact on my mood.

Of this I was always aware.
I just didn't make the sun - serotonin - potato connection.

Thanks for your input :)
Sarit

: In summer here in the UK I lie in the
: sun without sunscreen for 20
: minutes a day (I do not burn) and
: that has a huge effect on my mood.
: There is a lot of research on
: that. It lso helps vit D levels,
: immunity and the ilke. It is why
: people are better of gardening and
: walking and swimming in sun and
: outside rather than in gyms. It is
: very hard though for those of us
: with long fairly dark winters. My
: SAD lamp does not have the same
: effect.

: I would certanily recommend sunshine
: on as much skin as you can bare
: every day in summer unless you are
: somewhere like Saudi and would
: burn in a second.

: There is a big debate about skin
: cancer v advantages of some sun
: without sunscreen. I come down on
: the latter side.