Actor Madhavan shares a zero-cost way to be happier in life: ‘The men who feel best are rarely…’

R Madhavan needs no introduction. The actor, who was last seen in Dhurandhar 2, led by Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, often shares interesting social media updates, keeping fans hooked. From inspiring messages to heartfelt human-oriented tales and eccentric stories — the 56-year-old continues to captivate his followers with his engaging online presence. This time was no exception. Actor Madhavan’s latest Instagram Story entry is a zero-cost guide on how to be happier in life. His stance is also backed by doctors.

R Madhavan’s zero-cost way of being happy

R Madhavan, in his post, agreed to a sentiment that said, ‘10 minutes of morning sun resets your whole day. The men who feel best are rarely the ones stuck inside all week.’ According to internal medicine doctors Elizabeth Ko and Eve M Glazier, spending time outdoors is linked to improved mental health and sleep.

A large study conducted in Great Britain and published in the Journal of Affective Disorders analysed the data gathered from 500,000 women and men between 37 and 73 years old. Participants who were part of the research spent an average of around 2.5 hours outdoors every day, and the analysis found that their mental health outcomes tended to improve as their exposure to natural daylight increased.


For every additional hour spent outside, researchers observed a lower likelihood of developing long-term depression, along with a reduced reliance on antidepressants. Participants also reported feeling happier and experiencing better overall moods. Notably, the association between daylight exposure and these positive outcomes remained consistent even after factors such as lifestyle choices and socioeconomic circumstances were taken into account.

Health benefits of spending time in sunshine

This suggested that the benefits were not simply explained by differences in how people lived or their social and financial backgrounds. With that being said, here are 5 health benefits of sunshine, as per Cleveland Clinic, that show why every person must spend time outdoors, instead of staying inside their house for long periods of time.

Provides vitamin D

Sunlight is the body’s primary source of vitamin D, with more than 90% of it coming from sun exposure. Ultraviolet-B rays trigger vitamin D production in the skin, supporting bone strength, immune function, muscle health, cardiovascular health and mood.

Boosts mood

Sunlight may support serotonin production, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation. Greater exposure to natural light can therefore contribute to better mood, while low serotonin levels have been linked with depression and anxiety.

Helps regulate sleep patterns

Natural light helps keep the body’s circadian rhythm aligned. Morning sunlight signals the brain to stay alert, while darkness encourages melatonin production and prepares the body for sleep.

Improves symptoms of seasonal depression

Limited sunlight is associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Research suggests that spending more time outdoors during daylight, particularly in winter, may help reduce symptoms of seasonal depression.

Contributes to overall well-being

Sunlight exposure has also been associated with better sleep, energy, muscle function, stress management and cognitive health, although research into some of these benefits is still ongoing.