By the time this is published, I will be back in Leeds, in subzero weather conditions. My body will still be in shock, having gone from 35 degrees in Australia to… this. The only consolation I have is that layering my clothes will hide my post-holiday chubs.
In my four weeks in Melbourne and Sydney, I have decided it is fact that people are happier in general in the sun. Apparently 9 out of 10 Brits are deficient in vitamin D obtained from sunlight, which can take a toll on your mood. This is why it surprises me how many people I speak to here have never heard of SAD – Seasonal Depression Disorder, especially since being up north in Leeds is an ideal breeding ground for SAD weather conditions. I remember looking up prices of SAD lamps in my first year after living here for a few months, but decided I couldn’t afford £50-100 for a silly lamp that generates sunrays. But now I’m thinking it might’ve been worth the investment. I have always been a sun person, but being in Australia confirmed my suspicions of what sun does to you – it makes you better-looking, more active, friendlier, and happier. People are gorgeous in Sydney, because everyone wants to be active out in the sun. And everyone knows they look better with a tan; I don’t think I’ve seen any other country with a more comprehensive selection of fake tan products than England.
On being active: everyone is running all the time, even in 34 degree weather, sweat dripping off those tanned oily abs. People are always playing ball on the beach and surfers make surfing look so breezy, but it takes so much energy to fight the brutal rip tides at Bondi. My friend was actually on Bondi rescue once because she didn’t swim between the flags: good times. Sydney made me so active I even paid for two hours of intense muscle burn biking up an incline to see breathtaking views of Sydney. Whereas when I’m in Leeds, I value sitting in my heated room over making use of my premium gym membership.
Also, I believe people are friendlier down under. Since Australians are essentially evolved English criminals in a faraway land, I attribute their friendliness due to sun. You may think I’m silly but hey, 8-10 hours of sunshine 250 days of the year makes a difference! I know my theory could be very wrong to people who love the cold for skiing, playing in the snow, and white Christmasses. I know personal preference comes into play since many people have told me how unreasonable and extreme I can be about the weather. But I love my sun, and I don’t see a problem in living in it all year round. I still think it’s pretty awesome being on a beach on Christmas Eve.