Oftentimes, we concentrate too much on the negative impact of too much sunshine, so we tend to avoid it by all cost. However, while it might be true that you can end up with sunburns and skin cancer if you’re exposed to the sun too much, you can also miss out on many mental and physical benefits if you avoid it completely. The key is to be moderate with exposure and in that case, you can reap all kinds of benefits. Here are all the ways the sun positively affects our overall wellbeing.
It boosts vitamin D levels
Vitamin D has many important functions in the human body. From reducing inflammations and encouraging cell growth to boosting mood, vitamin D is an essential part of happy and healthy living.
While you can get vitamin D from sources like food, it’s really hard to get it that way. However, just 5 to 15 minutes of sun exposure a day can supply you with healthy amounts of vitamin D. Make sure to get direct sun on your face and hands to soak up as much vitamin as you can. But, if you’re planning on staying outside for longer, make sure to use sunscreen!
It improves your sleep
Vitamin D and serotonin you can soak up from the sun will help you get plenty of Zs at night. Sleep deprivation is a real problem today with our busy schedules and stressful lives.
One of the best natural solutions for insomnia and irregular sleep patterns is sticking to traditional light and dark cycles. If you get enough sunlight during the day, your body will produce melatonin at night and lull you to sleep without any issues.
It improves your mood
If you suffer from depression or if you’re just feeling blue at the moment, try catching some sun. While it can be very hard to leave the house and get some sun exposure when experiencing a depressive episode, this is something you simply must do in order to get better.
Getting plenty of sunshine will boost your serotonin production, allow you to sleep better and help you put a stop to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). In combination with your therapy and medication, sunshine can make a real difference in your life. So, go shopping for a cute bathing suit and hit the beach! If you have social anxiety, you can search for bikinis online and try some sunbathing in your backyard. Later, when you get better, you’ll want to show off your bikini and go to the beach or your local pool. With mental health, baby steps are very important and it often starts with insignificant things like grabbing a nice bathing suit!
It strengthens your bones
Low vitamin D doesn’t only affect your mood but also messes with other diseases like osteoporosis and rickets.
So, if you improve your vitamin D levels, you can gain strong bones and healthy teeth! While it’s also important to boost your calcium intake, sunshine can help you absorb calcium better and gain better health results.
It lowers blood pressure
When you’re exposed to sunlight, your body produces nitric oxide. This compound is very important for heart health, especially keeping your blood pressure down. Healthy blood pressure levels are crucial for reducing the risks of cardiac disease and stroke. Plus, the relaxation sun exposure brings can naturally decrease your blood pressure and keep it down.
It heals your skin
While we all know that too much sun causes burns and skin cancer, not enough of us knows that healthy levels of exposure can help treat certain serious skin conditions.
Some conditions like psoriasis, eczema, jaundice and acne can greatly benefit from UV radiation. However, this way of treating skin conditions isn’t for everyone. So, before you start practicing UV radiation treatment, consult with your dermatologist to see whether your specific condition can benefit from sunlight.
As you can see, moderate sunshine is truly your body’s and mind’s best friend. It not only does wonders for your mental health, but it also brings noticeable benefits to your physical health. If your area doesn’t get enough sunshine during the year, grab a SAD lamp and try light therapy. It’s not as good as the real thing, but it can help you through the winter. If you practice healthy sun exposure, make sure to also visit your dermatologist regularly and check for any changes on the skin just to be safe.