Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Launches “Sunlight Charging Station” for Mental Well-being “Come soak up the sun every day”

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will operate the participatory campaign “Sunlight Charging Station – A Day to Grow Myself” three times from today (21) through May to promote citizens’ mental well-being and foster a culture of respect for life.

This campaign is an experiential program designed to help relieve stress and improve sleep through the simple daily habit of getting sunlight, and is open for all citizens to freely participate.

The city planned the campaign based on the positive effects of sunlight exposure on physical rhythms and emotional stability.

Exposure to sunlight is known to stimulate the secretion of serotonin, stabilizing mood, and to aid in the production of melatonin, which induces sleep, making it effective for managing mental well-being in daily life.

Based on these effects, the city designed a participatory program structured around “experience–record–reward” to encourage citizens to naturally engage in outdoor activities and repeat them.

In particular, the program aims to strengthen the foundation for suicide prevention by promoting behavioral changes in daily life, such as reducing feelings of depression and enhancing emotional stability.

Meanwhile, the city declared this year as the “first year of respect for life” in March and has been promoting various suicide prevention initiatives, with this campaign forming part of its public awareness efforts.

Despite the warm weather, spring is known as a season with higher suicide risk due to factors such as climate changes, and mental health issues including depression account for the largest proportion of causes.

Accordingly, the campaign aims to actively promote the effectiveness of the simple habit of getting sunlight in enhancing mental well-being.

The campaign will be operated in the form of a “Sunlight Charging Station” pop-up at major parks and walking trails in Busan, centered around the message, “Soak up the sun today and fill your mind with light,” and will feature lifestyle-oriented content that citizens can easily engage with.

The first session will be held from April 21 to 25 at the Citizens’ Plaza of Jungang Park in Jung-gu; the second from May 7 to 11 at the Hayaeria Lawn Square of Busan Citizens Park in Busanjin-gu; and the third from May 19 to 23 near the artificial waterfall of Oncheoncheon in Dongnae-gu. Operating hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In particular, the city plans to convey in a simple and intuitive manner the everyday benefits of sunlight—such as improving mood and sleep—so that citizens can naturally develop healthy lifestyle habits.

In addition, various hands-on programs that citizens can easily participate in will be offered on-site.

Participants can experience activities such as voluntary sun exposure and walking, self-assessment of mental health, and recording participation with stamp collection. If needed, they can also receive counseling through connections with local mental health welfare centers and suicide prevention centers.

Participants will receive “harvest” rewards based on the number of times they participate, encouraging continued engagement.

Oh Mi-kyung, spokesperson for Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “The simple act of getting sunlight can be the starting point for protecting citizens’ mental well-being,” adding, “We ask for your interest and participation in this campaign, which anyone can easily join at nearby parks.”