Tanning Beds after Radiation

I went to a tanning bed 30 years ago because I was fair and sick of being white. I had such a horrible reaction, I ended up going to the emergency room for Benedryl shots. (I should have known I would have a bad reaction to radiation, which I did). But it is getting better.

As far as tanning making you feel better, I don't doubt it. I noticed on a trip to Florida in October, I felt fantastic. I know it was because of the sun being out every day. But you can also get a light box and increase your Vitamin D3. Those can help, too.

The light boxes don’t emit UV, but a light in the color spectrum that mimics natural daylight--which is what makes them safe & effective for treating SAD (and, sometimes, jet lag). I would think that a combination of that and a GOOD salon spray tan (or a highly-regarded self-tanner product--check back issues of Allure mag. for reviews) would do the trick. Can it be that the reason we feel better on a tropical vacation is both the change of scenery (especially escaping a cold winter) and “la dolce far niente” (the sweetness of doing nothing)? I know when back in my youth I used to spend all day X-C skiing in the Cascades and getting bright sun for hours, I was too dang exhausted to feel euphoric