Happiness in the sky: The effect of sunshine exposure on subjective well-being

Compared to other environmental stressors, the impact of sun exposure on subjective well-being (SWB) remains inconclusive. This study investigates the effect of sunlight exposure on various SWB measures by matching a nationwide longitudinal survey in China with precise sunshine duration data based on the exact time and location of each interview. Exploiting variations in sunshine exposure experienced by the same individuals over 8 years, we find a positive relationship between sunshine duration on the interview day and life satisfaction, as well as a nonlinear relationship between past-week sunshine duration and depressive symptoms. Although sunshine has a significant effect on SWB, its overall magnitude is relatively small.