Have you ever stayed inside in the comfort of your air conditioning on a sunny day during summer? If so, did you feel a sense of guilt? If you answered yes to these questions you are not alone.
- Studies show that many people feel guilty when they stay inside in the air conditioning on a sunny and warm day.
We are conditioned to believe that we should be outside in the fresh air on a sunny day rather than inside in the air conditioning. Society tells us that when it’s cold out you should be inside under a blanket, sitting in front of your fireplace with a mug full of hot chocolate. Society also tells us that when it is warm and sunny out you should be out on a boat, at the beach, at a picnic, etc. However, there are some days when people just don’t want to go outside for various reasons, and would rather stay in their A/C during the summer. One reason could be wanting to catch up on TV shows in the comfort of air conditioning on a day off. People may not get a chance to watch their favorite shows during the work week, so their air conditioned living room may be really appealing on a Saturday afternoon. Also, many people feel self conscious of their bodies and don’t want to expose themselves in shorts or bathing suits. Unfortunately, it is way too hot in many places in the summer to go outside in pants and long sleeve shirts, so sitting in sweatpants in air conditioning may help people feel way more comfortable in their own skin. Another reason for opting out of fun in the sun could be that some people just don’t love the sun or heat.